New Canaan Darien + Rowayton - May/June 2026

AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY— honoring history as we celebrate our community

L’OSTAL & LA CAVE: provençal charm in downtown

A LIVING LEGACY

on the cover:

features

48 MODERN LOVE

A legacy of innovation, a spirit of simplicity and a design story still being written—meet the people defining Modernism in New Canaan today.

by malia frame mckinnon

62

THE GOOD LIFE

A little bit wellness, a little bit wanderlust and a whole lot of local flavor—this is your go-to list for living well all summer long.

by jill johnson mann

8 EDITOR’S LETTER

10 FOUNDER’S LETTER

13 STATUS REPORT

BUZZ Kathryn Herman’s timeless design; Signature Cycles opens in Darien; Wendy Walker’s new novel DO new bespoke eye care; celebrating America250 SHOP patriotic picks from local founders EAT Darien’s L’ostal & La Cave MEET J. Earl & Sons’ Jeff Parrott

34 MONEY MATTERS

& PLACES

VOWS

In real estate, who represents you matters.

William Raveis is a frontrunner in world-class innovation. Introducing our new Raveis365+ technology platform. Leading-edge AI systems, processes, and tools to drive results for our clients and customers.

Our Sales Associates hold the highest standards in the industry for trust and elite customer service, powered by next-generation technology. Choose the award-winning Top Luxury Brokerage 1. Highest Honor in Luxury Real Estate.

VOLUME 26 ISSUE 3

editorial

editor-in-chief Eileen Murphy

editorial director Cristin Marandino advisory editor Donna Moffly

art

senior art director Venera Alexandrova production director Tim Carr assistant art director Lisa Servidio

contributors

editors

Megan Gagnon editor, athome

Samantha Yanks editor, westport Elizabeth Hole editor, custom publishing

writers

Liz Barron, Elizabeth Hole, Elizabeth Keyser, Jill Johnson Mann, Georgette Yacoub

copy editors

Liz Britten, David Podgurski

digital

digital marketing manager Rachel MacDonald

digital assistant Lloyd Gabi digital assistant Jeffery Garay

business

president Jonathan W. Moffly

editorial director Cristin Marandino business manager Elena V. Moffly

cofounders John W. Moffly IV and Donna C. Moffly

sales

Gina Fusco publisher, New Canaan, Darien + Rowayton gina.fusco@moffly.com

Gabriella Mays publisher, westport•weston•wilton gabriella.mays@moffly.com

Kathleen Godbold Dyke publisher, greenwich kathleen.dyke@moffly.com

Hilary Hotchkiss acount executive hilary.hotchkiss@moffly.com

Morgan Howell acount executive morgan.howell@moffly.com

Brynn John partnership and big picture manager Brynn.John@moffly.com

Lemuel Bandala sales assistant lemuel.bandala@moffly.com

Eillenn Bandala business assistant eillenn.bandala@moffly.com marketing Kristina Herman executive marketing director kristina.herman@moffly.com

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NEW ERA IN HEALTH CARE IS COMING

With

We’re raising health for New York. For Connecticut. For you. Nuvance Health is becoming Northwell, the most awarded health system in the tri-state.

editor’s letter

MAY/JUNE 2026 / EILEEN MURPHY

LIVING HERITAGE

The first time I remember being drawn to modern architecture was as a college student in New York City, when I stumbled upon a fully reconstructed living room inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art—salvaged from a Frank Lloyd Wright house in Minnesota and reassembled inside the museum. I didn’t know much about Wright at the time, but I was immediately captivated by the clean lines and quiet simplicity of the design.

That early impression stayed with me. Later visits to Wright’s work—from Oak Park to Taliesin and Fallingwater—deepened my appreciation for his belief that a home should grow out of its surroundings rather than disrupt them. I felt that same sensibility again after moving to New Canaan, when I first visited the Glass House.

After living here for a while, it becomes impossible not to notice the town’s deep roots in modernism. We wear it as a kind of badge of honor that this small town was home to the Harvard Five—even if many of us could only name one or two. We know the iconic sites but if you look a little closer, you begin to realize just how many remarkable homes are tucked throughout the landscape—houses that architecture enthusiasts travel great distances to see, and that we pass every day, often without a second glance as we drive our kids to school or make our way through town.

Although I considered myself a fan of modern design—and had visited The Glass House multiple times and was a big fan of the new library—it wasn’t until I attended the

New Canaan Museum and Historical Society’s Modern House Tour this fall that I truly began to get the richness of what surrounds us.

Modernism here is not just part of the town’s history—it is very much alive. There is a community of neighbors whose personal and professional lives are deeply rooted in it: architects and designers, friends and collaborators. They exist both in plain sight and in quieter, more hidden ways, woven into the landscape of New Canaan much like the homes themselves.

We hope you enjoy learning about them as much as we enjoyed getting to know them— and that it inspires you to visit The New Canaan Museum, the Glass House or simply peek into Gores Pavilion on your next walk through Irwin Park.

Beyond our architectural gems, this issue also highlights the creature comforts our communities have to offer. From favorite places to dine to fun activities and unique shopping experiences, we share all the local hot spots and hidden treasures in our “Good Life” feature on page 62.

We also highlight new businesses like Signature Cycle, revisit local favorites such as La Cave and give you a rundown of what to do—and what to wear—as we celebrate America’s upcoming 250th birthday. Plus lots more to discover in and about New Canaan, Darien and Rowayton!

eileen.murphy@moffly.com

founder’s page

“During one birthday celebration, the man of the hour created quite a mess when he threw his cake into a fan.”

MAY/JUNE 2026 / DONNA MOFFLY

OF TALES OF THE 5:11 BAR CAR

My, how a commuter’s life has changed—especially with the demise of Metro-North’s iconic bar car in 2014, the last of its kind in the U.S. Soon after that, Amtrak introduced café cars, but they’re not nearly as much fun.

There are still people in Greenwich who remember riding the 5:11 out of New York back in the Fifties and Sixties with the mad men of advertising, mostly magazine and agency types. It was an express to Riverside, either because a railroad official lived there or the railroad owed one to a journalist who did.

In any case, it became known as the V:XI Gentlemen’s Bar Car, and in 1991 Greenwich Library Oral History asked commuter Bob Pearson to tell it like it was.

It was a comfortable old Pullman car—halfcompartments, half-lounge with plush chairs, paneled walls and a jovial Irish bartender. For air-conditioning, a circulating system blew air over blocks of ice piled at one end of the car.

The dozens of regulars who rode the 5:11 included ad man Verne Westerberg, who became publisher of four Condé Nast magazines; newspaper editor Norton Mockridge of the World Telegram and Sun; and Libby O’Brien, one of few women and an executive of Lily Tulip Cup. Combination den mother/Pearl Mesta, Libby was into celebrating any kind of holiday. Out would come the streamers, party hats and horns. During one birthday celebration, the man of the hour created quite a mess when he threw his cake into a fan.

They framed pictures of these parties and mounted them on the walls. They also brought in their own furniture. Bob Pearson, speechwriter for the CEO of Shell Oil, was often last to board and had to stand all the way to Riverside. So, Libby bought an old wooden chair and plastered it with gaudy shell decals for him.

“There were no teetotalers on that car,”

observed Verne, recalling a power outage when they got stuck at 125th Street during a Team Gin Rummy game. The bartender finally ran out of booze, but they found a guy outside who, for 10 bucks, brought in cases of beer, which kept the game going until buses arrived at midnight and forced them to disembark.

Then came the day the railroad decided the 5:11 had to be replaced with a more modern car. What? “Take away our bar car?!” they moaned. Norton Mockridge ran a human-interest story about it in his newspaper, and soon Bob got an invitation from a representative of the president of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad to come talk about it. His man explained that the old car had gone millions of miles, it wasn’t economical to keep icing it, and they could have a new Pullman just as nice. “We could even paint the name ‘Gentlemen’s Bar Car’ on the side,” he added.

“Sounds real good,” said Bob. “But make it ‘V:XI G.B.C.’ ”

“And,” the guy concluded, “we’ll transfer all your memorabilia from the old car and hang your pictures on the wall.”

Before long, the 5:11ers had little gold V:XI lapel pins and tie clips made, plus earrings for the ladies.

As a PR grand finale, the railroad suggested a dedication ceremony on the new V:XI G.B.C.

The Metro-North president showed up with champagne, flowers, a photographer and an entourage of aides to celebrate en route to 125th, where he’d get off. He didn’t know that regulations forbade people from boarding at Grand Central and getting off at 125th and vice versa, thus competing with the city transit system. So, when the conductor stopped him leaving, the CEO protested: “But I’m president of the railroad!” to which the conductor replied: “Yes, and I’m Napoleon. You still can’t get off!”

Those were the days.

GROUND CONTROL

INSIDE THE DECADES-LONG EVOLUTION OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT KATHRYN HERMAN ’S HOME GARDEN

AMoment in Time: Designing a Country Garden is both a design guide and a personal record of a landscape shaped over decades. Written by local landscape architect Kathryn Herman, the book offers a four-season exploration of her 20-acre home garden at the historic Pepperidge Farm estate in Fairfield, where she has refined the land for more than 30 years. Herman will be the featured speaker at the Annual Lecture & Luncheon benefiting the New Canaan Nature Center on May 7 at the New Canaan Country Club.

Balancing restraint with English-style softness, Herman uses her home as a case study in patience, structure and seasonal thinking. Organized as a tour through a series of garden “rooms,” the book breaks down her design process with essays that address form, color, ornament, layering and historical context, alongside practical guidance on creating meadows, orchards, perennial gardens, pool landscapes and productive spaces that welcome wildlife.

What sets the book apart is its attention to experience. Herman emphasizes how sound, scent, texture and movement shape the way a garden is felt, not just seen— from rustling leaves and moving water to fragrant shrubs and tactile plantings that change throughout the year. She invites readers to a deeply personal look at how a garden evolves over time.

Offering custom cycles, high-tech fittings, apparel and group rides, Signature Cycles is for bike enthusiasts of all levels.

BESPOKE BIKES

SIGNATURE CYCLES

BRINGS ITS TAILORED , DATA-LED

After two decades in Greenwich, Signature Cycles has relocated to Darien. The custom bike shop and fitting studio, which “creates art in motion,” debuted its new space this spring.

The commute from his home in Riverside to Darien is no problem for Signature Cycles co-owner Abraham Soler, who rides his custom bike to and from work. “Biking to Darien is faster than the traffic,” jokes Soler. “It’s a great ride—only about eight and a half miles. I can take Route 1 or some nice backroads to get there.”

Soler says he and partner Ruedi Laager are grateful to the loyal clients who “trusted us with their dream bikes for years” and hope to work with them at the new shop, while also welcoming an expanding customer base. Their previous store was in a building slated to be torn down and rebuilt, which initially prompted the move. “While we loved our Greenwich location, we are looking forward to growing our community and exploring new roads ahead,” explains Soler.

“helping

riders achieve their goals and bringing more people into the sport is what drives me.we are incredibly excited about the journey ahead.”

–abraham soler, signature cycles co-owner

An experienced racer and the son of a professional cyclist who competed in the 1986 Tour de France, Soler says that “Cycling is in my DNA. My love for the sport makes my work feel like a passion rather than a job. Growing up in Bogotá, Colombia—where cycling is taken seriously—taught me to view the sport with respect and admiration.”

After moving from Colombia to New York in 2003, Soler raced competitively and advanced to a Category 1 classification. He worked in bike shops as a mechanic and in sales before meeting Paul Lavine, Signature Cycle’s founder and current advisor. There, he gained fitting experience and became the lead fit technician. Ruedi Laager, one of Lavine’s long-term clients, later took over the company and eventually partnered with Soler.

Despite Soler’s pedigree— and the collective talent of the Signature Cycles team—riders of all levels are welcome. While a high-end custom bike could cost $11,000 and up, an entrylevel fitting is available for $375. Clients can bring in their own bike or purchase a stock bike at a variety of price points, starting around $3,000. For riders building a bespoke cycle, the fitting fee is deducted from the purchase. Whatever option is selected, the process begins with a comprehensive interview and physical evaluation. A fitting will take from two to two-and-a-half hours to complete, and riders leave the shop with all the proper adjustments made to their bike. The goal is to “improve comfort, boost power and efficiency and to protect riders from injury.”

This service utilizes high-tech methods such as video motion, pedal stroke analysis, biofeedback and more. “Much like a tailored

wedding dress or a custom-built house, every detail is personalized to the individual's specific needs, and everyone can benefit from that,” says Soler. “Getting fitted by an expert is the essential first step toward a dream bike.”

The timeline to create “signature cycles” can range from four weeks to one year, depending on the frame manufacturer. In addition to custom builds, the store also offers prefabricated brands that can deliver complete bikes in less than two weeks. During a full customization— which Soler says is a personalized, curated experience—customers can choose from a three-tiered menu of frames, wheels and groupsets (the components that allow the bike to move and to stop). Soler says the shop uses “limited-edition items, such as ceramic speed bearings, lightweight wheels and one-off paint schemes” to craft each bike.

The store’s crew meets up with clients on the road as well, holding weekend rides (including

a women-only group on Friday mornings) for everyone from entry level to expert. “Every member of our team is a cycling enthusiast; riding is our passion. This allows us to connect with our clients on many levels,” says Soler. “Connecticut has many ‘champagne’ gravel roads that offer an unforgettable experience.”

On average, each ride is approximately 20 to 30 miles with 15 to 20 participants. Depending on the event, there could be 50 people and up. In addition to local outings, Soler and the team have hosted trips throughout Europe and South America to “expose our clients to some of the best roads in the world.”

Deeply rooted in the community, Signature Cycles supports youth cycling with a team of BMX riders and has grown its women’s team, which now boasts a national champion.

“Helping riders achieve their goals and bringing more people into the sport is what drives me,” says Soler. "We are incredibly excited about the journey ahead. Our Darien store is truly a magical place, and we look forward to seeing everyone there.”

Day & Boarding School Fair

Wednesday, May 6

New Canaan Country School, 635 Frogtown Rd, New Canaan, CT

6–7:30 p.m.

For families who want to explore secondary school options and connect with representatives from top independent day and boarding schools to learn more about their signature programs and 21st century teaching and learning opportunities.

• This event is free of charge and open to the public

• For a list of schools attending and to register for this free event, please visit www.countryschool.net/school-fair-2026

Co-Presented by :

SKATING TOWARD SUCCESS

LOCAL AUTHOR WENDY WALKER’S JOURNEY FROM THE RINK TO THE WRITING DESK PROVES THAT REINVENTION CAN BE THE ULTIMATE VICTORY

by liz barron

After spending her youth dreaming of competing on Olympic ice, Fairfield County resident Wendy Walker never imagined she would one day become an author publishing her twelfth novel. “I never thought I’d be a writer. When I left ice skating, I was very intent on doing something with more stability,” Walker says. She began her professional career as a financial analyst before returning to school to earn a law degree.

After stepping away from the workforce to raise her children, Walker found herself in the suburbs as a stay-at-home mom looking for a careerfocused pursuit she could manage from home. “I’d always loved telling stories—writing about experiences and sharing them with other people,” she says. That passion led her to wonder whether she might write a novel.

“I initially thought maybe I would write a legal thriller, because so many lawyers had made that leap,” she adds.

PERSISTENCE

PAYS OFF

Walker quickly learned just how many skills are required to write a book. “It’s deceptively difficult and even writing a simple scene that you have imagined perfectly in your mind doesn’t always translate onto the page the way that you think it will,” she says.

Her first two novels, released in 2008 and 2009, did not achieve the success she had hoped for, and she soon returned to practicing family law. During that time, she became increasingly interested in child psychology and childhood trauma, topics that frequently surfaced in highconflict divorce cases. She was also drawn to the lasting impact of early experiences, reflecting on her own upbringing in the intensely competitive world of figure skating.

A desire to spend more time with her children and a continued passion to translate her real-life experiences into fiction, Walker decided to give writing another go. She sought out an agent who

helped her better understand what publishers were looking for and after stepping away from law for the second time, she wrote All Is Not Forgotten.

This time, the response was extraordinary: the novel was acquired by every major publishing house, ultimately published by St. Martin’s Press in 2016 and released in 23 languages. The third time truly was the charm.

BLADE—FICTION BASED ON REALITY

Leaving home at a young teen to train at an elite skating facility, many aspects of Walker’s experience mirror that of the main character in her latest novel, Blade While every skater’s journey is unique, a shared reality is intense sacrifice—and the proufound lonliness—that can come from living away from family at such a formative age.

“The childhood trauma that comes from the emotional isolation [of being on your own],

when nobody is looking out for you or guiding you can be very difficult,” says Walker. “My parents were very far away, and it was a very lonely experience. I wanted to write about girls that were going through something similar.” In Blade, Walker channels that sense of isolation—among fellow skaters, coaches and the mothers known as “bleacher bees”—into fiction.

After her third year away from

home, Walker made the decision to leave the sport. She credits advice from a former Olympic skater who encouraged her to consider her other strengths and reminded her that there was life beyond the sport. “It gave me permission to look at things objectively,” she says.

UP NEXT

Walker is currently wrapping up another thriller scheduled for release next year. The novel centers on a love story between two teens—on efrom the “other side of the tracks” in a affluent suburban town—that ultimately ends in tragedy and murder.

Walker is also busy writing and executive producing original content for Audible. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her grown children, loved ones and her writing community tribe. Binging a good series, walking on the beach and New York Times puzzles are also at the top of her list.

do

CLEAR VISION: RETHINKING AGING EYES

DROOPING LIDS, SHADOWS AND PUFFINESS ARE OFTEN MORE THAN SKIN-DEEP CHANGES: A NEW APPROACH RESTORES A RESTED LOOK.

by georgette yacoub

When Dr. Inna Lazar emigrated to the United States from Ukraine as a teenager, she was struck by how di erently vision care is practiced. Back home, access to advanced technology and specialized eye care was limited. In America, she saw what was possible. “It wasn’t just about seeing better,” she says. “It was about living better.”

at early observation shaped her career. Today, Lazar is the the founder of Pro Eyecare, with practices in Greenwich and Darien. Recognized as one of Newsweek’s

America’s Best Eye Doctors, she has built a reputation for comprehensive, diagnostically rigorous eye care that goes well beyond the routine exam.

“When patients come to me, especially after seeing multiple providers without clear answers, they’re not looking for a routine exam,” she says. “They’re looking for clarity.”

That philosophy extends into territory most eye doctors don't touch: the aging skin and soft tissue around the eye. It’s a common concern, as women notice drooping and a tired look—and hesitate to go straight to surgery.

“the goal isn ᾽ t changing someone ᾽ s face. it ᾽ s restoring structural support so the eye looks rested again.”

how it works

Treatment takes 30 to 45 minutes, and results develop over eight to 12 weeks as collagen rebuilds— subtle, structural and natural-looking.

Lazar says that hesitation is well-founded. “A drooping lid may be structural laxity, but it can also be chronic inflammation, meibomian gland disease, muscle overuse from focusing or compensation from dry eye,” she explains. “Most treatments in the market treat appearance only, not cause.”

At Pro Eyecare, every patient begins with a functional evaluation before any aesthetic conversation. Lazar evaluates tear film chemistry, blinking patterns, eyelid position and ocular surface integrity to understand what’s driving the change. In her experience, many concerns that seem cosmetic— puffiness, heaviness, shadowing—are rooted in underlying dysfunction. Treat the physiology first, she says, and the appearance often improves.

When structure remains the issue, that’s where Sofwave comes in. Lazar recently introduced the ultrasound-based treatment to her practice. It delivers controlled energy to the support layer beneath the skin, where collagen weakens over time. The surface remains intact—no ablation, no pigment disruption, no downtime. Instead, the body rebuilds structure gradually and naturally.

“The goal isn’t changing someone’s face,” Lazar says. “It’s restoring structural support so the eye looks rested again.”

What makes Sofwave particularly suited for the eye is its precision. Unlike radiofrequency or laser treatments, ultrasound targets a defined depth—meaning the treatment targets the surrounding tissue while the eyeball and its delicate structures remain fully protected throughout the procedure. And because Lazar’s practice is an eye-care practice, her team brings a

level of anatomical expertise to the treatment that most aesthetic providers simply don’t have.

“We are formally trained to work around the eye and understand its anatomy, function, and delicate structures in depth,” she says. “Patients feel reassured because their care is delivered in a true eye-care environment.”

Treatment takes about 30 to 45 minutes, and results develop gradually over eight to 12 weeks as collagen rebuilds—subtle, structural and natural-looking.

The ideal candidates are either patients who want to get ahead of visible changes before they progress or those noticing early laxity who aren’t ready for surgical intervention. “By restoring tissue support early, we can significantly delay the need for surgery while maintaining both function and aesthetics,” Lazar says. “The key is timing.”

For anyone curious but uncertain, her first recommendation is simply to come in and learn. A consultation at Pro Eyecare is diagnostic and educational—no pressure, no procedures. “Our role is not to persuade someone into a treatment,” she says. “It is to provide clarity and options so they can make an informed decision about their eyes with confidence.”

PRO EYECARE

115 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich

36 Old Kings Hwy S, Suite 110, Darien

To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit getproeyecare.com.

The

Featured speaker Kathryn Herman

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors

LEAD SPONSORS

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Greenwich - New Canaan

Barre Studio

The Concannon Family

The Toce Family

SILVER SPONSORS

Ahearn Family Foundation

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Moffly Media

Celebrating AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY

Afull lineup of events across New Canaan, Darien and Rowayton invites neighbors to come together in celebration of the nation’s milestone year. is summer, our towns are joining communities across the country in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary—and the calendar is lled with ways to take part. From lively parades and outdoor celebrations to thought-provoking talks, historic tours and family-friendly events, local organizations are bringing the spirit of the nation’s founding to life in creative and engaging ways. roughout June and July, neighbors can come together for a series of events honoring the nation’s founding while enjoying the traditions that make summer in our towns so special. Whether it’s a patriotic concert in the park, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a Revolutionary history program or a community celebration under the stars, these commemorative events o er plenty of opportunities to connect, learn and celebrate together.

Historic Grainger House + Peony Garden Tour

SATURDAY, MAY 30

1:00–2:30 P.M.

HERE’S A LOOK AT THE AMERICA250 EVENTS HAPPENING ACROSS NEW CANAAN, DARIEN AND ROWAYTON THIS SEASON.

Revolutionary Connecticut

MONDAY, MAY 4

11:00 A.M.–12:30 P.M.

As part of the national America250 commemoration, The Glass House opens the 1783 Grainger House and its celebrated peony and iris garden to the public. This rare opportunity highlights the intersection of early American architecture and modernist design. Tickets required.

NEW CANAAN

Presented by the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, this engaging program explores what the American Revolution meant to Connecticut residents. Using artifacts and historic documents, the presentation tells the story of independence through the eyes of ordinary citizens and highlights how the state has commemorated the nation’s founding over the past 250 years. Coffee and treats will be served. Free; registration required.

Art Gottlieb’s History

Discussions: The American Revolution

Rhyme & Recitation With Ned: A Celebration of American Independence

TUESDAY, MAY 12 10:00–11:30 A.M.

Resident orator Ned Monaghan presents a spirited program of poetry and prose spanning 250 years of American history. This festive gathering honors the nation’s birth through words that inspire pride and reflection. Free.

TUESDAY, MAY 5 11:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M.

The third installation of a five-part series that examines the causes and consequences of the American Revolution. This week’s topic focuses on the Declaration of Independence, offering historical context and lively discussion. Free; registration required.

Hamilton — The Movie

WEDNESDAY,MAY 13

4:00–7:30 P.M.

Experience the groundbreaking musical that redefined Broadway. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s awardwinning production blends hip-hop, R&B, and traditional show tunes to tell the story of Alexander Hamilton. Pizza, salad and cookies will be served, with a short intermission. Free; registration required.

Art Gottlieb’s History

Discussions: The Battle of Trenton

TUESDAY, MAY 19

11:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M.

This week’s installment explores the pivotal Battle of Trenton and its role in shaping the outcome of the Revolution. Part of the ongoing educational series. Free; registration required.

Clever and Craft with Tricia: Patriotic Door Decor

THURSDAY, MAY 28

1:00–2:00 P.M.

Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by creating festive door hangings inspired by patriotic themes. A creative and communityfocused workshop. Free; registration required.

LAPHAM COMMUNITY CENTER

THE GLASS HOUSE

What the Constitution Means to Me

SUNDAY, JUNE 14

2:00–4:30 P.M.

Two-time Tony nominee Kate Baldwin stars in this acclaimed, Pulitzer Prize–finalist play by Heidi Schreck. The production reimagines the Constitution’s impact across generations and invites audiences to consider its meaning for the future. Tickets required.

NEW CANAAN LIBRARY

Hearts of Freedom: Juneteenth Community

Stars, Stripes & Horses

TUESDAY, JUNE 23

5:00–6:15 P.M.

Celebrate the spirit of America with a patriotic, horse-themed afternoon featuring riding exhibitions, flag crafts, grooming demonstrations and a tribute to the history of the Mounted Troop. Family-friendly event.

NEW CANAAN MOUNTED TROOP

NC250 Parade: Honor & Celebrate!

SATURDAY, JUNE 27

9:30 A.M.

RAINDATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 28 1:00 P.M.

A centerpiece of the town’s America250 festivities, this community parade features decorated floats, colonial attire, vintage cars, marching bands and fife-anddrum participants. The procession concludes at New Canaan High School.

DOWNTOWN NEW CANAAN

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

3:00–7:00 P.M.

Celebration hosted by S.T.A.R., this signature America250 event honors Juneteenth— commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The celebration features live music, food trucks, children’s activities, and a community art project. Free and open to all.

WAVENY PARK

The Great American Campout

SATURDAY–SUNDAY JUNE 27–28

Celebrate the outdoors during this annual overnight camp-out, part of the National Wildlife Federation’s nationwide initiative. Families enjoy night hikes, animal encounters, campfire songs, s’mores and much more. Registration required.

NEW CANAAN NATURE CENTER

For the latest updates and a complete schedule, visit tockify. com/newcanaan250

DARIEN & ROWAYTON

Calling

All

Artists:

“How I See America’s 250th”

The Lockwood-Mathew Mansion Museum is launching its first Young Artists’ Competition for Connecticut students in grades 3–12. Winning artworks will be exhibited at the mansion, with prizes awarded in each grade category. Free; Deadline for submissions is May 19.

LOCKWOODMATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM, NORWALK

Experience the Revolution

SATURDAY, MAY 2

2:00–4:00 P.M.

Step back into Revolutionary War history with immersive reenactments, talks and events that bring to life pivotal moments from Connecticut’s colonial past at historic Middlesex Parish sites. Free

THE MUSEUM OF DARIEN, MATHER HOMESTEAD, HIGHLAND FARMS

Rendezvous With Rachel Revere

SUNDAY, MAY 17

2:00–3:00 P.M.

the Beautiful about the life of the poet and the ideals of patriotism and reform behind her iconic song. Free; registration required.

DARIEN LIBRARY Rowayton Memorial Day Parade

SUNDAY, MAY 24

12:00 P.M.

Join Historic Rowayton in the annual Memorial Day parade, marching behind a Revolutionary War–style whaleboat as the community honors those who served. Free

History at Play presents Rendezvous With Rachel Revere, the story of Paul Revere’s wife and her efforts to protect her children during the advance of the British Army. Through immersive, firstperson performance, the company brings historical figures and events to life. Free

MILL HILL HISTORIC PARK, NORWALK

Documentary Screening: From Sea to Shining Sea

MONDAY, MAY 18

6:30–7:30 P.M.

Enjoy a screening of the 1978 documentary From Sea to Shining Sea: Katharine Lee Bates and the Story of America

Exhibit Opening: Rowayton During the American Revolution

SUNDAY, MAY 24

12:30–2:00 P.M.

Celebrate the opening of this new exhibition exploring Rowayton’s role during the Revolutionary War. Festivities include a Colonial chocolate maker, traditional children’s games and self-guided driving tours of local Revolutionary sites. Free

SEELEY DIBBLE PINKNEY HOUSE, ROWAYTON

DOWNTOWN ROWAYTON

Movie Screening: 1776

MONDAY, JUNE 1

Road Trip to Revolution

SATURDAY, JUNE 13

1:00–4:00 P.M.

Explore local history with a self-guided “road trip” to 12 historic Middlesex Parish sites, each featuring greeters and information about the region’s Revolutionary past. Free

MIDDLESEX PARISH LOCATIONS DARIEN

American Girl Tea Party

SUNDAY, JUNE 14

2:00 P.M.

A Revolution of Her Own!

Deborah Sampson

SATURDAY, JULY 11 2:00–3:00 P.M.

From Liberty to Legacy: Exploring American Ideals in 1776 and Hamilton

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3

7:00–8:00 P.M.

Presenter Michael Langlois explores the story of America’s founding through two iconic musicals—1776 and Hamilton—and how each reflects evolving interpretations of the nation’s ideals. Free; registration required.

6:30–7:30 P.M.

Enjoy a screening of the 1972 musical film adaptation of the Tony Award–winning Broadway show. The lively production follows the Continental Congress as it debates—and ultimately drafts—the Declaration of Independence. Free; registration required.

DARIEN LIBRARY

Exhibit Opening: Revolutionary Roots—Generation of Change

THURSDAY , JUNE 11

Children are invited to bring their favorite doll or stuffed animal for a festive afternoon tea party and craft activity decorating accessories for their tiny companions. Free

GAZEBO IN PINKNEY PARK, ROWAYTON

Darien

Declaration Day

SATURDAY, JULY 4 9:30 A.M.–1:30 P.M.

History at Play presents the story of Deborah Sampson, the first woman to enlist, fight in and be honorably discharged from the American military during the Revolutionary War. Free MILL HILL HISTORIC PARK, NORWALK

DARIEN LIBRARY

Live Stream: TED Democracy— Founding Futures

SATURDAY, JUNE 13

9:00 A.M.-4:30 P.M.

Held in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, this event features a livestream of new TED Talks exploring the future of democracy, along with interactive activities and performances. Free; registration required.

DARIEN LIBRARY

This America250 exhibition explores connections between the American Revolution and the Lockwood and Mathews families, examining the 18th-century roots of the mansion’s earliest residents. On exhibit through October 3.

LOCKWOOD-MATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM, NORWALK

Open House at Area Museums

SATURDAY, JUNE 13

1:00–4:00 P.M.

Historic Rowayton opens its doors for an afternoon of exhibits and family activities, including colonial games, seed planting and a Brookside Cemetery tour. Free

Celebrate Independence Day with readings from the Declaration of Independence by Theater 308, patriotic music by the Darien Community Band and recognition of local military students. Free

DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL

Reading of the Declaration of Independence

SATURDAY, JULY 4 10:30 A.M.–12:00 P.M.

Gather at the historic park for a traditional public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Free

MILL HILL HISTORIC PARK, NORWALK

For the latest updates and a complete schedule, visit middlesexparish250.com

A TasteofProvence, Closeto H o em

Elevateddining and wine cuture indowntownDarien

Scan here for more great places to EAT & DRINK!

Darien’s L’Ostal and La Cave have earned devoted followers among serious food and wine lovers. As the Provencal restaurant celebrates five years—and a Best Restaurant award from the CT Restaurant Association—La Cave, its European wine bar, has become the place to explore and talk about obscure varietals. Since fall, it has also become site of exclusive monthly wine dinners that sell out quickly.

On a recent Friday night, both spaces were quietly buzzing. Chef-Owner Jared Sippel—a veteran of kitchens led by world-class chefs in Michelinstarred, Relais et Chateau properties in the United States and Europe—was a constant presence. He emerged from the kitchen in his fresh white jacket to deliver a dish to a VIP at the bar, slice rare beef coulette for the tartar de boeuf at a striking bright-red European hand slicer and step across the outdoor patio to check in on the wine bar.

Five years ago, after a stint in New York City, the aftermath of COVID brought Chef Jared Sippel and his wife to her hometown of Darien. In April 2021, Sippel opened L’Ostal, his dream restaurant, inspired by his culinary journey in France and Italy. He created a focused, ingredient-driven menu rooted in Provencal cuisine, drawing from the broader cultural region that stretches from Provence in France, to Catalonia in Spain and Piedmonte in Italy.

“Provençal cooking is almost more Italian than it is French,” says Sippel. “I fell in love with that style. And you get all these influences, from Moroccan and the Basque region of Spain—the markets are full of spices. Provence is France, but before that it was Italy.

“provençal cooking is almost more italian than it is french. i fell in love with that style. and you get all these influences from moroccan and the basque region of spain— the markets are full of spices. provence is france, but before that it was italy. there are roman ruins everywhere.” —chef jared sippel

There are Roman ruins everywhere.”

Sippel opened L’Ostal at the right time. As people left New York City and returned to the suburbs, demand grew for elevated dining closer to home. “We tapped a niche market,” he says. “People wanted the same high quality of dining they were used to in Manhattan.”

At L’Ostal the wine list is focused. Sippel spent decades working with master sommeliers and top wine teams. “Food and wine go hand in hand, and if you work in upper-echelon wine restaurants, you start learning—and the more you learn and understand, the more you get the bug,” he says.

At L’Ostal, the wines are primarily French, with select offerings from Italy and Spain. The list features nine classic varieties and regions, including a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire, a rosé from Provence and a Pinot Noir from Burgundy. Guests can choose half or full glasses. (L’Ostal also serves beer, cocktails and mocktails.)

The dinner menu changes seasonally, with nightly specials written on a blackboard. Signature dishes have remained on the menu since day one, complimented by seasonal additions. With wood-topped tables, walls covered

in white subway tiles and a marble bar, L’Ostal’s understated atmosphere lets the food shine. The scent of smoking herbs drifts through the dining room as servers deliver the evening's special of côte de boeuf (roasted bone-in ribeye).

At the bar, guests order Fougasse, the housebaked bread stuffed with artichoke and black olives and flecked with poppy seeds, pepper and sea salt—crunchy and rich outside and soft and steamy inside. Almost everyone orders the salade verte, which has developed a cult following. Each fresh, crisp leaf is dressed in a vinaigrette flavored with pistou (Provençal nutless pesto), and served in a beautifully assembled pile on a chilled plate. Simple, herbflecked and made with care, it exemplifies L’Ostal’s attention to detail.

Sformato, an Italian unmolded vegetable flan, is a soft, luxurious comfort food. The chef changes the vegetable base with the seasons. Recently, it featured a cauliflower flan, drizzled with balsamic and encircled by sautéed mushrooms.

The bartender, chef or sommelier can recommend wines, but one dish comes with a suggested pairing written on the menu—and it’s a classic. Housemade torchon of Hudson Valley duck foie gras, slices of fluffy brioche (from Flour Water Salt Bread bakery in Darien) and figs are paired with Tokaji Aszú “5 puttonyos,” a rich, sweet Hungarian white wine fermented with grapes affected with “the noble rot.” It’s a made-in-heaven combination: the meltingly rich, highly seasoned foie gras perfectly balanced by sips of the golden nectar, sweet yet underscored with bright acidity.

Three pastas appear on the menu, available in half or full portions (thank you!). The potato gnocchi with jumbo lump crab in scallop emulsion looked like a gift from the sea. The gnocchi resembled bay scallops in their foamy sauce, yet they were the most delicate little potato pillows that dissolved in the mouth.

Merlu, also known as hake—a mild-flavored member of the cod family—was tender with a

pleasing texture. It was draped in buerre blanc and showered with sautéed chanterelles. Sweet delicata squash peeked out from beneath the fish, which rested on rich, buttery potatoes.

What makes L’Ostal special—beyond the excellent food, wine and service—is the sense of care in every detail: the attentive staff, their professionalism and knowledge and the many gracious touches. Upon leaving, we found our take-home bag resting on a small table by the hostess desk, my name written in black marker—a thoughtful way to ensure guests don’t forget their delicious leftovers!

L’Ostal is pricy, as one would expect given the quality of the ingredients, cooking and service. L’Apero Hour, Tuesday through Friday, from 5 to 6 p.m., offers reduced prices on drinks and a limited menu featuring Les Plat de Resistance— two burgers, The Frenchie and L’Americain. The restaurant also offers menus for parties of six or more, including three- to four-course family style dinners and a chef-curated menu.

La Cave

Curated wines, small plates and intimate dinners.

Since Sippel opened La Cave two years ago, it has complemented— and contrasted with—L’Ostal. It is not a restaurant but a true European-style wine bar reminiscent of one you might find in Barcelona. Prepared foods such as cheese, charcuterie, tinned fish and tartines are served. “There are about 20 wines on a changing menu of more obscure varietals that guests and servers find exciting,” the chef says, “It creates engagement and conversation.”

The atmosphere is dark, cozy and subtly glowing—mellow and welcoming—with seating for 14 at a bar and high tops. Nightly specials are also written on the blackboard.

La Cave can be the first stop of an evening, for a glass of wine with spiced nuts or a plate of sliced Iberico ham and house-baked grissini, or a place to explore the tapas menu with carefully selected wines. The wine bar also serves caviar—one ounce of Kristal, French Baeri or Ossetra Prestige— with crème fraîche, chives and Ibiza potato chips. After dinner at L’Ostal, we ended the evening at La Cave, sipping a half glass of a Royal Tokaji 2018, which our server noted has more minerality than the Aszú we had tried earlier. Since last fall, La Cave has hosted exclusive wine dinners. Sippel and his team prepare the food in L’Ostal’s kitchen and bring

“there are about 20 wines on a changing menu of more obscure varietals that guests and servers find exciting. it creates engagement and conversation.” — chef jared sippel

it over to La Cave. “We get famous producers from a region, and then I’ll feature food from that region,” he says. Recent events have included a three-course Champagne and caviar dinner and a Spanish wine flight with representatives from R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia, the renowned Rioja producer. Sippel’s Spanish meal featured paella, served on the patio. These intimate

dinners are held about once a month and sell out quickly. For some events, La Cave offers two seatings, accommodating 28 lucky guests.

LA CAVE

ADDRESS:

42 Center Street, Darien

HOURS: Thursday, 5 - 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 - 10 p.m. It can be rented for private events.

Obsessive-Compulsive

money matters

BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER

ENSURING YOUR INSURANCE

The notice arrived by mail. After insuring a Fairfield woman’s home since 1968, her homeowner’s policy would no longer be renewed, her carrier wrote. The reason? The home’s replacement cost could top $1 million, a threshold too high for the company.

The house was a little bungalow, “an old-lady house,” her son called it, with an assessment value nowhere near $1 million. No matter. Goodbye, after more than 50 years. She’d need to find a new carrier—fast. When she lined one up, her premium more than doubled, her son said, from $7000 a year to $18,000.

Here in lower Fairfield County, more and more homeowners are finding themselves in similar situations, says Livy Howard, partner at the independent broker Howard & Gay Insurance in Westport. Indeed, a recent study by the U.S. Senate Budget Committee ranked Fairfield County among the top 100 counties nationwide for insurance policy non-renewals.

“We’re seeing it at a much higher frequency than in the past 10 or 15 years,” says Howard. Homeowners with “high-value” residences, especially those with replacement costs of $1.5 million on up, are especially at risk.

While some insurers automatically pull the plug on policies, others require extensive home inspections by existing policy holders. One homeowner, also in Fairfield, received an email demanding a 20-point inspection, due in a month, or risk losing coverage when renewal time came around. The homeowner emailed dozens of photos of potential trouble spots as mandated in the email—under the sink, beside the boiler, at the electrical panels, and more, inside and outside, from

the attic to the basement.

Several weeks later, the carrier emailed back a half-dozen photos, circled in red, singled out by the company’s AI bot as issues in need of attention. Fix them and provide evidence, the company said, or lose coverage. Fortunately, the homeowner had the means to address the issues. But some changes, like replacing a roof, installing a new water heater, upgrading the electrical system, can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

“Carriers are expecting the homeowner to protect their home,” Howard says. “They’re not just saying this is something good to have. They have data that says the risk is less if you have these things. It’s protections for everyone.”

Higher-end carriers used to inspect homes they covered every 10 years. That manpower cost money, though, and some companies got a little lax on the once-a-decade visits. In the meantime, “underwriting guidelines have gotten much more strict, and home replacement costs have soared. It’s not uncommon today for the cost to rebuild your house to be

ALL CARRIERS ARE NOT ALIKE

more than the market value.”

Catastrophic casualty events, like fires and hurricanes, have made matters worse, Howard says, triggering billions of dollars in claims. All these factors have led to dropped policies or increased inspections.

“Carriers want to make sure all the premiums they’re collecting are higher than the claims,” says Howard. “They have to make a profit from their underwriting.”

What’s a homeowner to do? Be proactive. Says Howard, before any inspection notice arrives, ask your insurance broker what you might expect from your carrier and when. If your home’s value is rising, if you’re up for renewal after a decade or so of coverage, even if it’s simply been awhile since you scrutinized the anatomy and physiology of your home, find out now what your company could be looking at and address matters of potential concern now, while you have plenty of time to tackle trouble spots.

Whatever you do, if you get that notice, don’t ignore it. It’s much harder to get insurance from one carrier if you’ve already been dropped by another.

Just because your current carrier plans to drop you does not mean another carrier won’t want your business. Different carriers cater to different markets. A carrier like Chubb, for example, won’t cut you off because your home is worth too much. They serve high-value, luxury homes — and expect you to stay on top of home maintenance. On the other hand, large discounters might not want your business if your home is worth too much; the claims might cost too much. By the same token, they’re often less vigilant about inspections. Says Howard, your broker can help you sort this all out.

www.countryschool.net/visit

635 Frogtown Rd, New Canaan, CT (203) 801-5608 | countryschool.net @nccountryschool

Our Mission

The mission of Breast Cancer Alliance is to improve survival rates and quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer through better prevention, early detection, treatment and cure.

To promote these goals, we invest in innovative research, breast surgery fellowships, regional education, dignified support and screening for the underserved.

To learn more visit breastcanceralliance.org

Breast Cancer Alliance

48 Maple Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830 info@breastcanceralliance.org

Yonni Wattenmaker, Executive Director

breastcanceralliance

@BCAllianceCT

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meet

Jeff Parrott has spent more than two decades shaping how people gather, drink and live well. After helping build major spirits brands including Blade and Bow Bourbon, Bulleit Bourbon, and Don Julio Tequila, he shifted his focus closer to home, launching J. Earl & Sons in 2020 to bring greater rigor and style to the home bar. Raised in Oklahoma and now based in New Canaan, he splits his time between cultivating the Blade and Bow brand and consulting on lifestyle and property projects, with a sharp eye for culture and craft.

J. EARL & SONS

110 Main Street, New Canaan, jearlandsons.com

JEFF PARROTT

Where do you take out-of-town friends when you want to show off the best of Fairfield County?

Long Island Sound on my boat, Bar Tender, to see Fairfield County by water, with its views of the city juxtaposed with its classic New England shoreline. It’s even better with a cocktail in hand, made from the nauti-themed bar in the cabin. The boat cocktail is the Blade and Bow New Fashioned that we pre-batch in a decanter.

Favorite local shop?

It’s more of a coordinate versus a specific place: the corner of Main and Elm in New Canaan. From that spot, you are steps away from some pretty amazing locally owned shops like the Adirondack Store, Found & Design, Nantucket Monogram, Laurent Ranch western store, No. 299 gift and home shop and of course, J. Earl & Sons, a curated barware spot with spirits and wine that I founded and is now owned and operated by my son, Cortland. Top it all off with brunch at Rosie.

What’s the last best meal and cocktail you had around town? Elm in New Canaan. I’m a burger-and-bourbon or martini-in-the-bar type of guy, and it never disappoints. They make me the best Blade and Bow Old Fashioneds.

How would you describe the style of your home in three words? Classic and collected, yet modern. It’s how I like to think of myself.

What’s the one piece in your home that tells the most interesting story? A primitive antique hand-engraved pewter mug. We were on the Chesapeake Bay in an antique shop, and I was looking through the collection of antique pewter, and would you believe there was actually one engraved ‘J. Parrott’?

Do you have a favorite room where you spend the most time? My study. It’s a jewel box filled with the things I have collected, like taxidermy, vintage ashtrays and books. It’s not hoarding if you have good stuff.

How has living here shaped your sense of style, both personally and professionally? I’m a bit of a culture chameleon and easily adopt the places I live into who I am. I grew up in the South, lived in Chicago and San Francisco before settling into the area to raise our boys. I am all of those places and have enjoyed the sophisticated country life of Fairfield County. It’s part of me.

What’s your current design obsession?

The American West. I grew up in Oklahoma and have always had an appreciation for Native American pieces like Navajo rugs, sterling silver cuffs and belt buckles, tooled leather. I love to blend it in with the WASPy style of New England. I’ve always had a Ranch Prep thing going on, which translates to what I wear and also spaces in the house.

Westy Mover Concierge

For over thirty years, Westy Mover Concierge has recommended select movers to thousands of customers in order to make their moving experience pleasant and at reasonable cost. Westy does not charge movers for the service, but insists that they satisfy our customers.

Give where it matters most.

From youth and education to behavioral health, arts and culture, and beyond, the New Canaan Community Foundation brings local insight and long-term thinking to every dollar given.

Support immediate needs. Build a more vibrant community.

newcanaancf.org

info@newcanaancf.org • 203.966.0231 @newcanaancommunityfdn

people&PLACES

BY CARA GILBRIDE

PGreat Neighbors

erson to Person (P2P) drew a sold-out crowd for its annual gala, Rising Together, to help families and individuals in need. The event raised $900,000 to support P2P programs offering economic assistance, career guidance, scholarships and access to healthy food. p2phelps.org »

1 St. Luke’s Parish of Darien Mountaintop Award Honorees 2 Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, P2P CEO Nancy Coughlin 3 Sue Bodson, Corey Paris, The S.O.S. Band 4 P2P Board of Directors 5 United States Rep. Jim Himes, Michael and Sue Bodson 6 Nancy Coughlin, Event Chair Dr. Celeste CosBaldwin 7 Andre and Michelle Swanston, Catalyst for Change Award Honorees 8 Senator Bob Duff, Senator Ceci Maher

Celebrating Local Women

1 (standing) Rachel Khanna, Mimi Santry, Kate Clark, Cristin Marandino, Laura Jordon, Erin Glasebrook (seated) Sara Allard, Dr. Sandra Wainwright, Susan Reynolds Lehman, Dr. Alyssa Gillego 2 Kasha Kanopka and Susan Reynolds Lehman 3 Carole Hochman, Sara Allard, Isabel Allard 4 Carolyn Reers, YW CEO Mary Lee Kiernan

5 Brynn John, Kathleen Dyke, Jonathan and Donna Moffly 6 Erin Glasebrook receiving her award from Shari Aser

7 Sally Harris, Kate Murphy Clark

8 Annie Green, Morgan Warden, Devon Mahaffy 9 Nicole Mitchell, Kirsten Lawrence, Maggie Young, Marie Rocha

YWCA Greenwich hosted the eighth annual Women Who Inspire Awards at Greenwich Country Club. This year’s dynamic class was honored for achieving success, while “making their communities healthy and strong, particularly for women and girls.” The annual awards were established to recognize outstanding women who have excelled in philanthropic, professional and volunteer pursuits. We were extra proud to cheer on our very own editor of Greenwich Magazine, Cristin Marandino! ywcagreenwich.org »

Making Connections

With a mission to provide support and “level the playing field” for students with learning differences and special needs, Special Education Legal Fund (S.E.L.F.) hosted its annual resource fair, in partnership with Special Education Equity for Kids of Connecticut (SEEK). Guests attended panel discussions about hiring an advocate or attorney as well as tips for selecting the right school. Families, caregivers, educators, providers and other professionals were able to network and share information about local services at this community-building event. spedlegalfund.org »

Nominations being accepted in the following categories:

Most Involved in the Arts

Most Dedicated Committee Member

Outstanding Philanthropist

Outstanding Teen Volunteer

Best Friend to Children

Best Health Advocate

Lifetime Achievement

Best Friend to Seniors

Most Involved Couple

Corporate Good Neighbor

Milestone Birthday

To celebrate 75 years, the Community Fund of Darien hosted a cocktail party for more than 100 guests. Local partners, volunteers, board members and donors gathered to commemorate the anniversary and carry the mission into the future. Throughout its history, the organization has granted nearly 30 million dollars to local nonprofits to help provide healthcare, housing, food and other essential services to those in need. communityfunddarien.org.

vows

Although Caroline and Billy were in the same friend group at Colgate University, it wasn’t until they moved to Manhattan after college that their friendship blossomed into a romantic relationship. Three and a half years into their courtship, Billy surprised Caroline by proposing while on vacation in Maui. Caroline was shocked, because she thought he would never propose without his parents being nearby; but when they arrived at the villa, Jackie and Bill had flown in to be there for the big day.

The couple treated their guests to three days of events in their favorite place, Cape Cod. The bride’s father, Joseph Parsons, officiated at the ceremony at Wequassett Resort in Harwich, where the reception followed.

The bride, daughter of Joseph and Susan Parsons of Massachusetts, graduated from St. Luke’s School in New Canaan and Colgate University. Caroline is in private equity for Blue Owl in New York.

The groom, son of Jackie and William Baxter III of Stamford, graduated from Greenwich High School and Colgate University. Billy is a wealth management financial advisor at Baxter Investment Management in New York.

The newlyweds honeymooned in South Africa and Mozambique. They call New York City home.

ON LOCATION: THE GLASS HOUSE, NATIONAL TRUST HISTORIC SITE

odernism is having a big moment in New Canaan. The New Canaan Museum & Historical Society’s Modern House Tour and October4Design (a monthlong celebration of architecture, art and design) have been hugely successful. Along with the release of Devon Chivvis’s documentary Harvard 5: A Story of Love, Architecture, and a Design Revolution, these events are bringing renewed attention to a movement that has been part of the community’s fabric for decades.

Since the late 1940s, New Canaan has been known as the home to the Harvard Five architects and a hub for Midcentury Modern design on the East Coast. “These architects came here for different reasons, but they all shared a new, forward-thinking vision of architecture,” explains Nancy Geary, Executive Director of the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society. “Together, they had an enormous impact on shaping New Canaan’s landscape.”

But Modernism in New Canaan was never just about buildings—it reflected a new way of living, explains Kirsten Reoch, Executive Director of The Glass House. “The culture was changing, and everyone was thinking about progress. This was part of events that transformed the American lifestyle, not just architecture,” she says. “While there are different styles within the blanket term Modernism, a lot of it harkens back to this idea from the Bauhaus School: ‘form follows function’ and a paring back of non-essentials.”

Architects including Eliot Noyes, John Johansen, Philip Johnson, Landis Gores and Marcel Breuer designed houses with open layouts, natural light and a strong connection to the outdoors. “Overall, there was an idea of timeless simplicity, bringing your home back to the essentials as well as a visible connection with nature,” says Reoch.

One of the most well-known examples is Philip Johnson’s Glass House, built in 1949. Its open, minimalist design has inspired modern homes and design trends we see all around us today. Originally a weekend home for Johnson and his partner David Whitney, The Glass House expanded into a larger campus. More than just a house, it functions as a museum with global influence. “We are always changing exhibitions, adding performances and hosting visiting artists,” says Reoch. “The Glass House is still a living, breathing entity that is constantly changing.”

You don’t need to fully grasp the social and architectural implications of the modernist movement to feel its impact. It’s in houses that seem to blend into their surroundings or in open, light-filled spaces that simply feel natural to live in. As Geary emphasizes, “This is all part of something that is uniquely New Canaan, rooted in its design history, that creates a shared sense of place and an excitement about the future.”

“A whole world of architecture, furniture design and artists lived here in New Canaan simultaneously,” says Reoch. “It was a special time in history when geography, art and people came together, and everyone—especially those of us who live here— should know the history, enjoy it and protect it.”

The influence of this era isn’t frozen in time—it continues to inspire a new generation of architects and designers in New Canaan. Alongside Reoch and Geary, we highlight some of the individuals who are both safeguarding that legacy and reimagining it for today. Like the Harvard Five before them, they collaborate, support and challenge one another, collectively shaping Modernism in New Canaan as a living, evolving movement.

Legacy

carried forward through practice and perspective

Architect, educator and longtime practitioner shaped by both design and academia

Modernism is not static— it evolves through those who live and reinterpret it. at work: lineage: perspective:

Son of Eliot Noyes, carrying forward the legacy of the Harvard Five

how did your upbringing in new canaan—and your father’s legacy—shape your path and work today?

New Canaan was more rural in the ’50s. I spent much of my time in the woods, which led me to study biology at Harvard then later teach this subject at Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama. But as the son of Eliot Noyes, the draw was so strong that I later switched careers, earning a Masters of Architecture at Harvard. After years of practice and teaching, I was elected a Fellow in the AIA and subsequently awarded an honorary doctorate from the Boston Architectural College. I continue to track biology and practice architecture.

can you sum up new canaan’s role in midcentury modernism, and why it was so important at that time?

With WWI and WWII, everything changed. Skilled craftsmanship was scarce; class distinction diminished; many of the returning soldiers were unskilled and needed houses and the wars introduced new technologies such as steel beams, concrete, large glass panels and central heating systems. These conditions foisted—almost demanded—revolutionary thinking

on what and how to build. The Harvard Five and other New Canaan architects were some of the best, inventing anew to respond to these circumstances, and they settled in New Canaan because of ripe conditions for new thinking, like inexpensive land, relaxed codes and access to New York.

what other concepts did your father employ in your own childhood home?

In the Eliot Noyes II house, where I moved at age nine and which is still in the family, my father challenged two traditional constructs of what a home should be. First, the front façade is an unbroken stone wall so that the house merges with the landscape. Second, in a normal home the downstairs has the public spaces, and a second floor upstairs has the private bedrooms. In this house, he thinks anew about this private/ public norm by making two houses on one floor: a private “wing” (with bedrooms), and the public “wing” (with kitchen, living and family room). The two wings are not connected but separated by an outdoor courtyard. It’s clear he is integrating this home with nature in that he requires you to go outside from public to private, and vice versa. He’s forcing those who live here to be part of this concept, and by doing so reinterprets the whole idea of what defines a house. In the summer, it becomes a big screen porch and there are no thresholds between interior and exterior. In the winter, you have snow floating all around, and you’re amidst a snowstorm.

do you have a favorite home or other building that your father built?

Our house in Vermont. It’s small but very sophisticated. It’s simple, but spatially there are overlapping definitions of volume. Based on four columns, a half-balcony wall, a chimney and a deck; there are multiple readings of what is one single space. Each element is doing multiple duties. I frequently liken this house to a sonnet: with only 14 lines, every word can have multiple meanings. The more times you read a sonnet, the more you feel the richness. That’s what’s going on in this house, too.

how did the new canaan community respond to modernist architecture as it emerged?

It was a real mix. There was a portion of the town that didn’t understand or like the new houses. Many people had an image of modern homes as “white shoeboxes.” This is how they were described in one New Canaan

Advertiser’s Letter to the Editor! But there was also a part of town that was interested in the new thinking. New Canaan’s Modern House Tours were started by my father in 1949, opening some of these homes to the public and allowing everyone to see what these guys were inventing. It was very successful and is still a biannual event sponsored by the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society.

can you speak to the ongoing cultural significance of the midcentury modern movement?

It’s a continuum, not just a reference to the past. Design ideas need to keep moving forward to keep current with other cultural developments. The breadth of Midcentury influence is wide, showing that design applies everywhere. My father took his Harvard architecture training and built great houses. He also used the same architectural principles and moved sideways, applying them to industrial design and then to corporations themselves.

your father has been credited with defining the modern corporate aesthetic. what does that mean?

Eliot Noyes was first the Director of Industrial Design at MOMA. With his understanding of the universal power of design, he was hired as a consultant by Tom Watson, Jr.,

son of IBM’s founder. With Watson, he looked deeply into what IBM was all about, to understand the very nature of the company. Not unlike comprehending the nature of an individual home, he used the same principles but applied them in a broadly different direction. The result was the idea that, yes, IBM sold computers, but the heart of this was that computers were supposed to make people’s lives easier. This inspired the concept of developing a program where all aspects of IBM would be consistent in support of this mission: corporate policy, architecture, graphics, packaging, industrial design and advertising. That, in turn, led to the moniker that my father was the “Curator of Corporate Character.”

His work made IBM synonymous with clarity, order and innovation, and after that project, Westinghouse, Mobil Oil and Cummins Diesel all came to him. He helped those corporate executives look deeper into their own companies, to define and understand them and, as a result, how this could help sales.

My father developed a cohesive design program for each—far beyond branding and marketing. The idea was widely influential, and we see it today in companies like Apple. This is just one example of how we see the influence of New Canaan Modernism applied in the most worldwide universal sense. Design is a way to improve everyday experience, whether through a chair, house or a corporate campus. My father’s work stands as a reminder that Modernism wasn’t just a style but a social and ethical project.

what’s next for fred noyes?

We recently launched The Eliot Noyes Center. It is a platform to elucidate and advance the dictums that my father used: to help people understand the power of architectural thinking and how it can be applied. Marcel Breuer said, “The solution almost falls out of the nature of the problem,” which remains true today, but first you have to look deeply at the nature of the problem.

Eventually, we’d like the Noyes

House to be saved in perpetuity, but the first step of the Center will be to develop a fellowship program, inviting people who demonstrate an inventive, collaborative breadth in their work (my father’s hallmark), whether it be in architecture or another field. We will develop further steps for the Center over time, and I’d like to work with various entities such as local schools and startups. I recently brought the Boston Architectural College to town with the intent of developing an ongoing teaching relationship, and we have also spoken with undergraduates at Harvard as well as the Rhode Island School of Design. The crux behind these efforts is that my father’s time was 50 years ago, but we need to define today’s current problems and how design principles can be applied going forward.

can you walk us through your path into architecture and the founding of your firm?

I began my career in New York City, where I worked in architecture firms doing large commercial and institutional projects. Previously I completed my architectural studies at Cornell (Bachelor of Architecture) and Harvard GSD (Master of Architecture II); studied classical architecture in Greece and taught at Syracuse University’s program in Florence, Italy. Later, I left my New York City position as a junior designer at Ennead (formerly Polshek & Partners) after my first child was born with challenging and unexpected medical needs. This life change resulted in relocating to New Canaan, where I was drawn by its legacy of Midcentury Modern architecture, as well as the town’s Special Education program. I launched my architecture and design firm in 2004 which has now evolved into a highly regarded residential architecture practice recognized for design innovation and a process of collaboration.

how does midcentury modernism and its ethos affect your life and work?

Midcentury Modernism is a term used to describe a movement in design and architecture that grew out of the social and cultural post-WWII period. Lives that had been placed on hold during wartime began to flourish, and there was optimism fueled by a promising economic security. Young couples that had refrained from having children during the war sought small homes in suburbia that could house their expanding families. These were modest homes, but newly equipped with household appliances and a more open floor plan. There was experimentation and innovation in the design and fabrication of domestic objects, furniture and fashion. The Bauhausian embrace of industrial materials and mass production had come to the U.S. Home décor magazines celebrated and popularized these modern architectural features along with a contemporary lifestyle. What MCM brought forward was relaxed and

Shaping Modernism with a human-centered approach

at work:

Award-winning architect based in New Canaan, with multiple AIA honors

approach: impact:

Designing light-filled, sustainable spaces grounded in modernist principles

modest: a starter home for young families. At its best, dwellings were efficient in scale, but expansive in their connection to the outdoors through large windows. These 70-year-old design principles are ones that are still relevant for me and other architects who are designing contemporary modern homes.

in what ways do you integrate mcm principles into your designs?

Many of the principles that emerged in domestic architecture of the midcentury are ones that I embrace in my work: clarity of structure, connections with nature, openness of space from one room to another and less is more. As I mentioned, many of the MCM homes were quite compact and efficient. The glazing for windows was not insulated, exterior walls and roofs were not thermally robust, so the homes became leaky and were energy inefficient.

What has evolved is how we see the architect’s role in reducing our carbon footprint and energy consumption, given climate change. Houses are typically built much better than they were in the midcentury. Also, there are many innovative, sustainable materials now employed in the design of single-family homes. Innovation was central to Midcentury design thinking, but the challenges and resources that we have today require a different mindset.

how has the legacy of the mcm movement in new canaan influenced your architectural philosophy?

New Canaan’s Midcentury architecture is one of many influences on me as an architect.

A leading voice advancing Modernism for today

The New Canaan architects, most notably the Harvard Five, were experimenting with new building techniques and materials, and many of their clients had bold aspirations and embraced Modernism. The approach they took in their designs was not always celebrated by a more conservative and tradition-loving public. Many consider these New Canaan dwellings as groundbreaking and important in the continuum of architectural history. It was the architects’ boldness and commitment to a new vision that gives me inspiration today and, I believe, is their true legacy.

what do you find most rewarding about working in a community with such a strong architectural identity?

I am proud to live in a community that values not just the legacy of its midcentury domestic architecture but also that of the historic New England vernacular. This community is knowledgeable and appreciative of the arts and culture and celebrates its local architecture.

are there particular harvard five architects whose work has shaped your thinking?

I have studied the work of Eliot Noyes, and his New Canaan home is simply perfectly conceived. Proportions, materials, spaces… everything has its logic, as a supporting piece and as part of the whole. I love the way the house connects both to the woods and the outdoor courtyard and employs stone and wood such that it disappears into its landscape. I was lucky to know John Johansen when he was in his 90s. He was so lively both socially and creatively— in

his continuous experimentation of architectural form and construction techniques—a true innovator. Also, he was unafraid of decoration and pattern, used appropriately, to reinforce his architectural ideas. He was radical in that way, as decoration was counter to many of the Midcentury Modernists working at the time.

how do you balance modern needs (comfort, technology, storage) with the original mcm aesthetic?

When we are tasked with renovating a MCM home, our first question is: Is it an architecturally superior example of the period and worth taking a preservation approach? If so, we are sensitive to not compromising the original features but replacing or modifying that which has run its useful life span.

Often, we encounter a home designed and built in the midcentury that is less noteworthy, is tired and needing repair. It may need new windows, proper insulation, new, discrete lighting and mechanical

upgrades. If the footprint is simply too tight, we’ll consider an addition that allows for ample storage and the expansion of floor area. We would design an extension that is architecturally in sync but not slavishly identical. Sometimes, a new connecting hallway or linkage space allows the new addition to be less about mimicry. Adding new, for example, may be an opportunity to improve flow, provide a contemporary kitchen or family space, make a stronger connection to the exterior with high performance sliding doors, etc. Balancing modern needs within an existing MCM requires sensitivity and establishing priorities in order to create an updated environment that is cohesive with the original and also achievable within budget.

how has your expertise in mcm architecture affected your client base?

Sometimes clients come to us with a studied appreciation of Midcentury architecture. More often, they have seen either historic images of midcentury homes or photos in magazines, or on social media,

that feature new homes with large expanses of glass, contiguous space, edited detailing and an abundance of daylight. These are components that we often include in our development of a design. Our client base may find us because they appreciate the originality in our work, they recognize and respond positively to elements they see in our portfolio and they observe a consistency of thoughtful detailing, quality and warm, comfortable modern environments. Our clients may not be the average homeowner who seeks a home like their neighbor. Ours is a singular client who is looking for a unique contemporary home like no other.

what do you see for the future of the mcm movement in our area, and how do you plan to

be a part of this continuum?

New Canaan and surrounding communities are fortunate to have a higher share of noteworthy Midcentury Modern homes built in the ’50s and ’60s. Homeowners have either preserved them or updated and reimagined them for our current time. Amanda Martocchio Architecture joins the enthusiast for preserving and updating the noteworthy examples of these homes. We draw inspiration from this period and seek to honor the local legacy of innovation. Yet, we are principally interested in designing new homes that feature forwardthinking and original solutions that address current-day environmental and energy concerns, as well as addressing our clients’ contemporary lifestyle.

how has modernism affected you personally and professionally?

Growing up in Barcelona, I was exposed at an early age to Cataluña’s unique form of Modernism (Modernisme) which flourished in the late 1800s to early 1900s. It still plays a strong role in the city’s identity and legacy today, and when I transitioned my retail career from apparel to home in 2012, the influences of Catalan architecture were a frequent reference point creatively. However, it was not until I moved to New Canaan in 2016 that I started to appreciate the unique distinction of American Modernism—with plenty of European references— that emerged in the midcentury.

My desire to understand the impact of Modernism—both in New Canaan and on the world stage that our town occupies among MCM enthusiasts—only deepened when I joined Herman Miller (now MillerKnoll) in 2020 to run Design Within Reach and Herman Miller’s retail business. At the end of the day, Modernism is not a style; it’s an ethos. That ethos prioritizes functionalism, minimalist clarity and truth to materials.

what first attracted you to new canaan?

The moment I visited New Canaan, I felt an immediate connection: It was the first time in 15 years I truly felt at home in America. Before moving to Barcelona as a young teenager, I lived in the south of England where narrow roads trimmed with old stone walls and abundant, mature trees served as delineators of land.

Our first home in New Canaan sat opposite the Landis Gores house, so that sparked an interest in the town's listed properties. But I’ve learned so much about our Modernist legacy through my work with local institutions such as The Glass House and the research which supported the Capital Committee for the New Canaan Library. Through these organizations I’ve had the chance to visit many of the listed properties and meet the people that cherish them.

how has the legacy of modern architecture in new canaan shaped how you lead your business?

Where design meets influence

influence: point of view:

President of Global Retail for MillerKnoll

MCM is not an aesthetic style but a living ethos.

The modern architecture movement in New Canaan was about more than design—it was about vision. Those architects weren’t afraid to push boundaries, creating homes that solved real problems for modern living. That philosophy mirrors how I lead our business.

Our heritage is a source of strength and credibility, and I feel a deep responsibility to honor it. But just as A cultural and institutional connector within the MCM community

modernists reimagined what a home could be, we must continuously innovate—creating solutions that keep our brands relevant, respected and at the forefront of global design.

For me, leadership is about balance: preserving the essence of what makes a brand iconic while moving it forward. Innovation isn’t about novelty for its own sake—it’s about solving problems and shaping the future, without losing sight of the legacy that got us here.

what organizations and projects are you involved with in new canaan’s modern design community?

I'm a member of the Grace Farms Design for Freedom Working Team (missioned to abolish slave and forced labor in the built environment), and MillerKnoll has been involved in the Design for Freedom Summit and Exhibitions at Grace Farms. I’m also a member of the Glass House Advisory Council, and DWR has been a sponsor for various fundraising and educational events at The Glass House over the years.

I had the chance to meet Devon Chivvas through my social network in New Canaan and within seconds of hearing her vision for the Harvard Five documentary she was producing, I knew it was something that MillerKnoll would want to help bring to life. It was a joy to support her project given how integral our product portfolio is to the homes celebrated in the film.

We also recently supported the Onera Foundation by providing iconic designs to complement one of their inaugural exhibitions.

tell us about your involvement with the new canaan library project. The library is a perfect example of how the town rallied together to transform a historical local landmark into a contemporary center for education, community and culture. The new architecture references New Canaan’s modern traditions and having the interior experience reflect the design excellence of the exterior was important to continuing the New Canaan spirit. I was happy that MillerKnoll was able to contribute to this important project with authentic modern furniture.

you also collaborate with fellow new canaanites craig bassam and scott fellows. tell us more about that. Over the past couple of seasons, we’ve had some really exciting introductions from BassamFellows, including a product with The Glass House. This was extra-special to work on as it was a true reflection

of the New Canaan spirit, with various parties coming together to not only preserve but to also make a pioneering Midcentury design relevant to today’s audience.

This past October, we launched the BassamFellows reissue of the Philip Johnson and Richard Kelly Floor Lamp. Considering our close relationship with Craig and Scott and also our partnership with both The Glass House and The National Trust for Historic Preservation, being able to bring this lamp to our customers across North America was a remarkable experience.

In addition, the BassamFellows Leatherwrap Sit-to-Stand Desk, which we introduced in 2022, was such a success that over the past year we worked with Craig and Scott to expand the line and create an entire New Canaan collection. We say that meticulous construction meets tactile richness in this collection, with solid wood frames precisely wrapped in a range of Geiger Textiles’ premium leathers. This brings BassamFellows’ ethos of Craftsman Modern to life across new desk sizes and configurations, a media console and bookcase styles.

what defines mcm for you beyond visual aesthetics? Honesty and optimism.

how does modern design inform this brand?

MillerKnoll is a collective of dynamic brands that has come together to build a more sustainable, caring, equitable and beautiful world. The MillerKnoll purpose reflects the desire of all our brands to leverage the power of design to improve people's lives. These values strongly connect with modernist ideals. In fact, the brands that make up our collective, such as Herman Miller and Knoll, were platforms and driving forces for the mission of Midcentury Modernists.

how can new canaan and other communities engage future generations on the importance of these designs as well as their preservation?

The most impactful way to inspire future generations to value these designs and their preservation is through education. Without an understanding of the history and context of Midcentury Modern architecture and design, its relevance today—and the ways its principles can continue to shape and enhance our lives—will be lost. Fortunately, we have institutions, protected sites and community leaders who are passionate about educating future generations. Hopefully, their work will continue to expand, and we’ll continue to make more architecturally significant homes, exhibits and programs accessible.

can you tell us about your company and its mission/ philosophy?

We founded our furniture and design brand in 2003 with a focus on Modernism, craftsmanship and beauty. Everything we do ties into the modernist philosophy: how we design our products, where we live and where we work.

what is the history behind your office space?

The building in Ridgefield was the former Schlumberger Research Center Administration building, designed by Philip Johnson in 1952. It took us two full years [to restore] and was a massive project. The building had been cut off from all services (water, heat, electricity) for several years, so it was in a sorry state. But surprisingly, much of the original “historic fabric” was intact and could be restored.

what’s your approach to restoring historic buildings?

Restoring an old, important building is like restoring a classic car. They have historical significance, and they can be quirky. There are always a million details to be addressed. There’s a fine line because you want to avoid making the space feel like a museum, but you want to keep it fresh while respecting the integrity

of the building. Our intention was to honor the building’s past while evolving its use as a showroom and office for our brand.

what was your first modernist restoration in new canaan?

Our first house was the Willis Mills House on Ponus Ridge. We bought it in 1998 and painstakingly restored it over a four-year period. These older modern homes do require changes to be livable today, but when restoring a special home like this you must maintain its historic character. Because there’s so much modernist heritage in New Canaan, the Glass House commissioned a modernist survey completed in 2008 to establish a group listing for the National Register of Historic Places. We’re very proud, as the Mills house was listed on the National Register after the renovation, which meant that our alterations were sympathetic with the original design of the home. We sold this home in 2007 but since then, the current homeowners commissioned us to design an entertainment and guest pavilion by the pool in 2023.

tell us about your current home, the hodgson house. In 2007 we bought the Hodgson House, designed by Philip Johnson in 1951, from the Hodgson heirs.

Designing—and living—the principles of Modernism

at work: ethos:

Architect and creative director leading a bespoke furniture design house

Creating refined, modernist pieces rooted in craftsmanship and material integrity

It’s on the National Register of Historic Places, and in addition, it has preservation easements administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the highest tier in this kind of historic designation. The Hodgsons, to preserve their legacy, put these easements on the house prior to our purchase, which means the fundamentals of the house cannot be altered. Because of our passion for Modernism, we take the responsibility of preserving this home very seriously.

This house was important for many reasons, but mainly because it won an international award in the 1950s for a single-family dwelling. The Glass House was built in 1949 and considered to be somewhat of a modernist experiment in living.

One year later, Johnson designed the Hodgson House with family living in mind. The proximity of our home to The Glass House makes it even more important for preservation. Our home is built in two pavilions: One contains the living spaces, and the other is the bedroom wing. The pavilions were built in two stages in 1951 and 1955, as banks would not grant a mortgage on a modernist house at the time.

how does your passion for the modernist life affect how you live?

We believe that great architecture is art and can improve the quality of your life. Simplicity, clarity, light and a strong connection to nature all contribute to your well-being. These are very calming buildings in which to live and work. At our office, for example, every space directly connects to nature via giant

A seamless integration of modernist design into both home and work

windows. In both our work and home spaces, there’s a real optimism because they’re flooded with natural light. They feel rational, calm and ordered, but mostly they feel alive.

how is this different from living in newer construction?

With modernist homes, people tend to hang on to them for decades and see themselves as stewards of something special. You’re constantly editing and curating when you live in a Modern, and the same is true of your life. With young people, we’re always trying to instill this idea that before you buy anything you should consider: Do you need it? Is it longlasting? Does it do what you want it to do? If the answer is no, forgo it. The idea is to do more with less and this translates into the home. The other thing with modernist architecture is that it isn’t forgiving if not designed well. If done right, however, every room has welldesigned storage, and everything has its place.

tell us about your reissue of the johnson/kelly floor lamp

The original 1953 lamp was a collaboration between lighting designer Richard Kelly and Philip Johnson to create a lamp for The Glass House that didn’t emit a glare off the glass walls. Johnson experimented with several ways to illuminate the space, but he wasn’t satisfied with the results. Kelly solved the problem by positioning a high-powered bulb near the floor and directing light upward onto a conical shade that in turn reflected the light back downward. The result is a soft pool of light at the perfect level when sitting in a chair or sofa. There’s no harsh light from above, so it makes a room feel warm—and makes everyone look good. The lamp became iconic and lived in the Glass House, as well as many modern homes and art collectors’ residences of that time.

how do the harvard five’s ideas about simple, functional

design and nature connect to your work?

We believe in the concept of “total design,” which is what Frank Lloyd Wright believed in, too. Furniture is how you experience architecture. It can either make the building feel comfortable or disjointed. Rooms should be designed for the people who live in them, and the furniture designed for those people.

how do you design with longevity in mind so that your pieces remain both beautiful and functional over time?

If you’re designing for timelessness, that intention has to be built into the design. You make certain choices when you’re making something for forever. Clean lines, functionality and simplicity are important as are material choices. We use natural materials and are obsessive about the quality of anything we build. Natural materials do not date–instead, they patina and look more beautiful with age.

tell us about growing up in new canaan and your family’s home here.

My family moved to town in 1956, as many modernist homes were being built. My grandparents were looking for a place to raise their three sons, and one house stood out: a home designed by Eliot Noyes on Lambert Road, built in 1954. When it came on the market in 1958, my grandmother apparently walked in and simply had to have it. She loved the light and the design elements.

My grandmother, Joan Feick, was a prolific abstract artist, and a few years after moving in, she asked Eliot Noyes to design a painting studio next to their house. It was imagined as a smaller version of the main home with glass walls, stone floors and white brick. The studio was generously sized and included a kitchen, living area, bath, sleeping quarters, a darkroom for photography and a private patio.

After I was born, my family lived at the Ault House briefly before moving into our own home. In 2000, my mother, brother and I relocated to France. The Ault House remained our home base in New Canaan, where we spent summers and every holiday with my father and grandmother.

The house remained in my family for 60 years until it was sold in 2018 and remained largely unchanged, aside from two big kitchen renovations over the years.

tell us more about your grandmother and her influence on your love of mcm. My grandmother was larger than life. She lived for some time in London

Carrying Modernism forward

at home:

Raised in a New Canaan modernist house; now owns and renovated her own midcentury home at work:

Senior Director of PR & Communications at Akris point of view:

A new generation preserving the Midcentury Modern legacy

and in her later years spent the colder months in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she painted and had a thing for adopting street dogs. She was quite the personality, and her eclectic style mixed her love of Midcentury Modern with French and English antiques and other great finds of hers from all over the world. I remember her annual New Year’s Eve black-tie dinners, the gallery hall of her home filled with long tables of beautifully dressed guests. It was always well past my bedtime, but there was plenty of dancing and live music. She loved to host, but loved it even more when everyone finally went back to their own homes!

what was it like living in a modern home as a child?

It felt special and very different. I grew up around art and antiques, and learned early to be careful with other people’s belongings—to respect what wasn’t mine. We dressed for meals, and there was a gentle formality to daily life (always wear your shoes at the breakfast table), but there was also a lot of joy. The TV room and entertaining space were separated, but you always knew when someone was home: The golf game was on in the library, or the news was emanating from the kitchen, Ella Fitzgerald or Cole Porter drifting in from the great room. With the open floor plan, everything felt a little more communal, and it was especially hard to sneak home late after a night out at Tequila Mockingbird with friends.

so no running wild through the house as a kid?

We were definitely not allowed to throw a tennis ball around the antiques or rare artwork, although I’m fairly sure there are photographs of my brother and me doing exactly that, just moments before being scolded. Golf balls, however, were fair game, as long as we chipped them on the lawn toward the pool, which later became a frog and fishing pond. Band posters on the walls were totally out of the question. Life revolved around the family art collection, respecting antiques, keeping rooms neat and never leaving anything in the hallway. Which may explain why I later covered my bedroom walls in France with floor-to-ceiling posters.

how did this affect how you chose your home as an adult?

My husband and I split our time between New Canaan and New York City, and about two years ago we bought a modern house here. It was the first home built in New Canaan by John Johansen in 1950, known as the Barlow House. There are only two Johansen houses left in town,

the other being the Warner House, also known as the Bridge House. What’s especially crazy is that my grandmother was friends with the original owners, the Warners, who sold the house to Doug Wurth and Michael Fedele, who later became our closest friends. Most of the other Johansen homes were torn down over the years as tastes shifted, and more traditional houses and “McMansions” moved in.

My husband and I were not in a rush to buy and probably looked at four homes in total, all in different styles, but it didn’t take much convincing for him to agree this was the direction we wanted to go. Every room has large, original panes of glass that overlook the surrounding preserve, making each space feel like you’re looking into a painting. With the changing seasons, it can feel almost surreal how close you’re living with nature.

how would you sum up the modernist way of life? Everything is meant to be simple, clean, and easy to live with. My husband loves fancy high-tech features, but in these houses

less really is more, which feels refreshingly opposite to many newer homes in New Canaan. There’s also a strong sense of curation, where everything is edited, and clutter just doesn’t have a place. I’ve loved weaving in some of my grandmother’s artwork with antiques I’ve collected over the years, and adding great modern furniture from Brazil and Europe. It all feels very personal.

any other organizations you have come to be a part of through this community?

Many of us are on the Granger Society, a membership group of MCM homeowners and donors of The Glass House. They host wonderful cocktail parties, frequently held in private Midcentury Modern homes where everyone comes together. Through these gatherings, we’ve met so many like-minded people. We share a deep belief that living in a house like this comes with responsibility—you have to respect its history and architectural intent. If and when you sell, it’s important to pass the home on to someone who will honor its integrity.

how are you projecting your love of this style in and around town?

Our house was recently featured on the [New Canaan Museum &

Society’s] Modern House Tour. My grandmother also loved opening her home to visitors during the early MCM house tours. For us, it has been a true privilege to open our home to such passionate and thoughtful people. That said, the renovation was just barely completed, and we found ourselves tackling projects we certainly hadn’t planned to take on for years. My close friend Cas Friese, who owns the Arden + White Gallery in town, helped me patch a wall just hours before our first guests arrived!

it seems like a lot of mcm homeowners in town know each other and have a special bond. would you agree? Yes. It’s truly an honor to be part of this community. The other week,

Fred Noyes hosted an informal dinner at his home where everyone brought a dish and, before we knew it, 13 Midcentury Modern homeowners were gathered around the table. The Glass House also plays an important role in keeping us connected, regularly bringing everyone together for cocktail parties. Their summer party, in particular, is not to be missed. Living in a Midcentury Modern home can feel like inhabiting a work of art, and the relationship with nature here is extraordinary. It often feels as though we’re living outdoors with these big windows. We host many dinners and parties, and there’s a genuine joie de vivre that fills the space. There’s also a strong sense of legacy, of being connected to a larger architectural story.

Th e Goo d Lif e

Seize the summer with new and niche finds in Fairfield County

BY JILL JOHNSON MANN

From Pilates to saunas,

mahjong getaways to retail therapy, restaurant openings to decadent desserts, free therapy to family fun— dig into our annual list of new or unusual must-know ways to squeeze every last drop out of the juicy good life in our area. Granted, our goodness cup runneth over around here, so this is most likely an impossible goal. But, hey, can’t hurt to try!

Kudos to our team of friends and editors for sharing all the scoop on their favorite ways to get fit, pursue wellness, shop for the coolest clothes and most unique gifts, eat and drink with abandon, keep their kids engaged and bring their families joy. »

We are an active bunch here in Fairfield County, and, fortunately, should we have short attention spans and an antsy nature, the fitness gurus are constantly finding ways to keep working out effective and energizing. Really big this year is rolling wellness into fitness. Out with “no pain, no gain” and in with “no pain (OK, maybe a little pain) and a whole lot of feeling good.”

FIND YOUR

FIT

Athleto Pilates

261 Danbury Road, Wilton 340 Grasmere Avenue, Fairfield 203-210-5161

athletostudios.com

Athleto Pilates offers a free intro class for Pilates newbies and $19 price for those who have reformer experience but have yet to experience the Balanced Body Studio equipment at Athleto’s two Fairfield County locations. If you love it, there are class packs, monthly memberships and private options, plus discounted fees for teens. Beginner/intermediate/ advanced level classes are available as well as focuses on particular areas, like Core and Legs Reformer Sculpt. Pilates promises to strengthen the body and improve both posture and athletic performance.

Core Burn Pilates

24 Elm Street, Greenwich 203-914-4433

coreburnpilates.com/greenwich

779 North Street, Greenwich 475-897-1096

coreburnpilates.com/northgreenwich

142 Elm Street, New Canaan 203-829-3834

coreburnpilates.com/new-canaan

165 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton 203-344-1844

coreburnpilates.com/rowayton

12 Elm Street, Westport 203-919-1239

coreburnpilates.com/westport

“Core Burn Pilates Greenwich gets— and deserves—a lot of my fitness spend,” says one of our in-the-know friends. “Kristin, the owner, is fierce to train with. My body would not be the same without the 10-plus years I’ve spent training with Core on a biweekly basis.” Classes are available by level, from Foundations to Advanced, with a variety of choices like Tone & Sculpt, Tower and Cardio Jumpboard. Look for the fire icons by the class listings to anticipate just how much burn you’re gonna feel! Privates, duets and trios are also available for a more customized approach.

Countdown Fitness

409 Greenwich Avenue (2nd floor), Greenwich; 203-594-6684

25 Sylvan Road South (Suite R), Westport; 203-593-6684 countdownfit.com

Countdown Fitness founder Anel Dzafic has trained 400 clients, from kids to NBA/NFL players to 90-yearold tough cookies. He uses a slow lifting approach, which increases the muscles’ workload and reduces injury risk. Anel is a certified holistic health coach who offers nutrition and weight loss guidance, as well as expertise in lower back pain, osteoporosis, pre- and post-natal fitness and golf conditioning. One of our local fitness gurus offers this rave: “Countdown Fitness is amazing. It’s 30 minutes once a week with a private trainer— not a second is wasted, and I swear if it were 32 minutes I would die! It’s the hardest 30 minutes of my week and completely transformative.”

Jetset Modern Pilates

25 Old Kings Highway North (Unit 6), Darien jetsetpilates.com/ct/darien

520 Post Road East, Westport jetsetpilates.com/ct/westport

Jetset Modern Pilates is touching down in Darien and Westport soon, bringing 50-minute dynamic Pilates sessions with Jetset’s signature choreography and curated DJ playlists. Sessions balance strength, flexibility and endurance. Classes are designed for all levels, with skilled instructors guiding the way. Class

and private options include Reformer, Fundamentals, Upper + Core, Lower + Core and On the Mat. The founder, Tamara Galinksy, transformed her post-baby body in nine months with Pilates. You can, too.

Recess Performance Club

1276 Post Road East, Westport recess.fit

Trainer to the stars Eric Johnson is right here and ready to give you the same insider fitness tips he

shares with celebrities like Scarlett Johansson and Andrew Garfield. The club offers private, semiprivate and group classes to sculpt your optimal summer bod. Recess augments its fitness offerings and improves recovery with an infrared sauna with red light therapy in a private suite. Pair that with a coldwater plunge to reduce muscle inflammation, improve circulation, boost mood and build resilience.

Rhoswyn Wellness

196 Danbury Road, Wilton 203-284-7151; rhoswynwellness.com

With the opening of Rhoswyn Wellness, the first hot yoga studio in Wilton, the town is heating up! Founded by couple Anna Louise Williams and Jerry Griffin, the studio offers yoga (from gentle to power, warm to hot), Pilates, meditation, Qi Gong and more. Prenatal classes, Family Flow and kindergarten-through-teen programs bring out the yogi in every age. Sound healing, meditation, reiki and pranayama workshops and Full Moon Sacred Circles offer more options for finding serenity in this community-minded space. »

The Barn

Fairfield, CT hello@welcometothebarn.com welcometothebarn.com

Energy healer and guide Courtney Henggeler invites you to The Barn, “a sanctuary for deep realignment” through reiki, guided sessions to reconnect with your true self, and donation-based events like astrology workshops. This is a place for softening the nervous system, opening the heart and reconnecting to “clarity, confidence and a sense of inner wholeness.” Book a session on the website, and start shedding that Fairfield County armor.

SUMA Life House

146 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich 203-524-8000 sumalifehouse.com

SUMA Life House founder Kristin Updike discovered the transformative power of integrative treatments while undergoing a double mastectomy in 2020. Her journey inspired her to create a center that brings modern science, aesthetics and wellness together under one roof, catering to those looking for a longer and more beautiful life. It feels luxurious— but the prices aren’t. The staff is knowledgeable, flexible and thorough. A cozy and chic Hyperbaric Chamber, Red Light Bed, IV Therapy, Emsculpt NEO (which uses radio-frequency energy to target fat and electromagnetic energy to tone muscle), Exion Body (for skin tightening), facial treatments, microneedling—these are just a handful of the miracle treatments awaiting you at SUMA.

The Current Wellness

135 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich 1063 Hope Street, Stamford 203-665-8985 thecurrentwellness.com

The Current debuted at Stamford Twin Rinks and is now bringing its “one-hour brain and body vitality ritual” to Greenwich. The unique approach to exercise incorporates three phases: standing on a vibration platform and bathing in red-light therapy to calm and prepare the body and mind; a 25-minute, coach-led contrast oxygen training session (think: hyperbaric oxygen session meets cardio workout); and then sitting around a BioCharger that emits light and energy in optimal frequency and voltage for maximizing recovery, circulation, cellular repair and clarity. The session is personalized so all levels feel comfortable—and everyone walks out revitalized.

THE BRAIN GAME

A smart mental workout

Blue Sparrow Mahj

From Fairfield County to Italy 415-298-9498

bluesparrowmahj@gmail.com themahjongline.com

Mahjong is all the rage, and Stephanie Kruse, founder of Blue Sparrow Mahj, is drawing a following with her expert lessons. This game, which originated in 19th-century China, is just the antidote to brain-numbing, isolating screen time. Better yet, she is upping the game with a “Mahjong in Tuscany” getaway, October 18 to 23. Kruse offers this enticing invite: “I’m hosting a retreat for 14 lucky people in our own private villa in the hills of Val D’Orcia in Tuscany. We’ll travel to Siena and Pienza and enjoy a cooking class and historical tours of the region. Each evening, enjoy Mahjong happy hour with guided play or lessons before a chef-catered meal.” Kruse has partnered with Duende Retreats, a woman-owned travel company she swears by. Book your spot: duenderetreats.com/retreats/ mahjong-tuscany

MOOD BOOST

A healthy mind starts with the right support New Canaan YMCA – Private Counseling

564 South Avenue, New Canaan 203-966-4528 newcanaanymca.org/ counseling-at-the-y

In partnership with the Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Greenwich Bennett Center for Behavioral Health, the New Canaan YMCA is offering private counseling—with no YMCA membership required. Therapy sessions for individuals, couples and families (ages six through adulthood) are held in a private, welcoming space in the Y’s facility. All major insurance plans are accepted. An intake form is accessible via the website.

SAUNAS ARE HOT

Saunas are on the hot list, with a wide range of health benefits hitting the public’s awareness, including the latest: a decreased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s with regular sauna use. A reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and high blood pressure; improved circulation, sleep and skin health; faster recovery after workouts; reduced stress and an immune system boost are other reasons sweating it out is all the rage.

HIDEOUT

1 Blachley Road (Suite 102), Stamford hideoutsocial.club

Connecticut’s first sauna and coldplunge club gives a clean twist on the term "clubbing." This community-based sauna club was inspired by founder Ryan Linner’s trip to Norway, where he discovered that plunging into a freezing fjord and then stepping into a sauna made him feel deliciously alive. Norway’s sauna culture got him thinking: “What if I could recreate the energy of a vibey outdoor brewery—the music, the people, the buzz—just built around health instead of hangovers?”

In partnership with Chelsea Piers Stamford, Linner made it happen. Guests can enjoy a custom-made Finnish (dry) Sauna, fire pits and cold plunges, all in a social setting that makes them feel like the cool kids at the hottest club in town.

KIIN SAUNA

Fairfield and mobile service kiinsauna.com

How about having a beautiful, handcrafted wood-burning sauna and cold plunge tub brought to your door or event? KiiN Sauna’s mobile service makes contrast therapy easily accessible and personalized. KiiN offers two-hour in-home sessions for up to 28 people with towels and herbal tea service. KiiN also offers half-day and full-day retreats and holds events with partner venues and at local beaches. Owner Ginger Richardson says, “I founded KiiN Sauna out of a love for simple, intentional rituals and a belief that healing happens when we reconnect with what’s real—heat, cold, breath, nature and one another.”

TYDE HAUS

11 Pine Point Road, Norwalk 971-803-1361 tydehaus.com

Tyde Haus promises “a sanctuary of warmth by the sea” where guests can channel a Finnish sauna experience right on Bayley Beach in Rowayton. A shared space for eight overlooking the Sound is perfect for a bonding and wellness-boosting outing with family or friends. Guests dip in the Sound between sauna sessions. For unlimited sessions and VIP booking access, buy a membership for $220 a month. Private sessions are available with add-on perks to make your event extra special. Tyde Haus has been known to offer sound bath sauna sessions, so keep an ear out for that. »

Who doesn’t need a little retail therapy on a rainy—or sunny, or cloudy, or windy or partially sunny—day? Here is our shortlist of shops to check out for fashion (for men, women and the little ones), gifts, scents, home decor and more.

Haute Haul

HOURS:

to 6 p.m., Sun. 12 to 5 p.m.

Sometimes the men get neglected when it comes to shopping, but not at Gray’s Clothier. One friend commented, “Gray’s men’s shop is pretty fantastic. I shop there for gifts—great prices and options.”

Whether browsing for casual wear, golf attire, business casual with flair, blazers or button-ups, Gray’s has the stylish guy covered.

Hill House Home

117 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich 203-962-1311 hillhousehome.com

HOURS: Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hill House Home has opened in downtown Greenwich, adding to its list of stylish locales like Nantucket, New York City, Palm Beach and Charleston. Founder Nell Diamond dreamed of “making happy things for happy places,” and her delicate, high-quality designs are doing just that. Think: sundresses in cheery floral patterns, cute tops, stylish jackets, coveted short dresses and soft and sophisticated pajamas. The sweet baby and toddler outfits will tempt you to have another.

Hope & Joy

95 Reef Road, Fairfield 203-208-8317 findinghopeandjoy.com

HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hope & Joy brings a carefully curated, cheerful mix of gifts, home and decor, apparel, accessories and paper goods to brighten up every day. Plus there's a party shop and monogrammed options for personalized presents for birthdays, teachers, graduates and brides-to-be. Everything here is fun, affordable and useful. Check out the array of travel totes and cases to make your next trip the most fun to pack for yet. The site allows you to search for “Gifts Under $25/$50/$100.” A cute selection of baby-shower gifts streamlines your decision-making process.

Reformation

272 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich 203-350-7396 thereformation.com/stores/greenwich

HOURS: Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun. 12 to 5 p.m. Eco-chic retail hits the Ave. with the opening of Reformation’s first Connecticut boutique. Priding itself on its mission to clothe you in sustainable fashion, Ref Greenwich is the environmentally friendly place to shop and look ultra cool, too. Reformation states: “Since 2009, we’ve been on a mission to bring sustainable fashion to everyone. And we aren’t stopping there. By 2025, we’ll be climate positive. By 2030, everything we make will be part of a circular fashion system.” This is a fashion parade you want to join.

The Scent Bar at MONC XIII

5 Lewis Street, Greenwich 203-340-2275 monc13.com

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

One of our “nosy” editors reports: “My latest, greatest discovery is the scent bar at MONC XIII in Greenwich. They have the best curation of personal fragrance options, grouped by scent notes, and Michelle is an expert in recommending based on your personal preferences (she will also make custom samples for you to take home!). The store itself is beautiful and has an exquisite edit of furniture, home décor and, of course, home fragrance.” »

Theo ’ s General Store

126 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton theosgeneral.com

HOURS: Wed.–Thurs. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Couple Jacob Fisher and Casey Romaine welcomed a baby recently, and now they are bringing Wilton their other baby—a general store for all to gather around and ooh and ah. Both are named Theo. The store version will offer a curated selection of local artisanal products plus international pantry items, a coffee bar, scrumptious pastries and a cozy seating area. One of our editors with discerning taste raves, “It’s amazing!”

The Mariner & The Muse

57 Chestnut Street, South Norwalk themarinerandthemuse.com

HOURS: Thurs.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Mariner & the Muse offers “vintage furniture, homewares and interiors rooted in thoughtful storytelling. Each piece and project embodies our belief that design should feel personal, layered and full of soul—an ode to the well-loved and the well-lived.” The brands first brick and mortar location sits in South Norwalk’s design district, ready to drench anyone who walks in the door with a large dose of nostalgic creative inspiration. Founder Jill Arden Lukeman is a designer and owner of Arden’s coastal cafe in Rowayton.

Wee Mondine

35 Corbin Drive, Darien 203-202-2901 weemondine.com

HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wee Mondine’s adorable online shop now has a brick-and-mortar locale in the Corbin District. Founder Elizabeth Crosby curates a selection of apparel for baby, kids and women (with a focus on natural fabrics and sustainable manufacturing), plus home and apothecary items. Soor Ploom, Misha & Puff and Apolina are a few of Wee Mondine’s go-to brands. Unique finds like Kidamento cameras, Kiki & GG wooden retro rotary telephone toys, Dragon Diffusion purses for mom, Minnow swimwear and Sleepy Doe pajamas are just a few special gift ideas for that next baby shower or b-day. »

Reach New Patients Showcase Your Expertise

Over 1/4 of ALL Moffly Media magazine and website readers use our annual Top Dentists list as part of their search for providers.

17th Annual

TOP DENTISTS

Dental

• Special section following our annual Top Dentists editorial feature, within our popular July/Aug Best of the Gold Coast issue

• Annual guide to Fairfield County’s dental experts & cosmetic specialists

• Custom profile created for your practice

• Reach an audience of 200,000+ families and local residents

• One year inclusion in our online dentist directory

• Bonus issue distribution to local events reaching health-conscious families, charitable organizations and community influencers

Issue Date: July/August 2026

On Newsstands: July 1, 2026

Commitment Date: May 12, 2026

Contact Gina Fusco at Gina.Fusco@moffly.com for more information.

DIG IN

New dining options are popping up so fast that there aren’t enough meals in a day! Juicy smashburgers, Mediterranean specialties, Italian feasts, plantbased menus, the very best chicken nuggets, pizza galore, plus delish desserts and inventive beverages— be sure to eat before perusing this section, or you’re gonna get drool all over your magazine.

Felice Port Chester

Dandelion

Delamar Hotel, 1595 Post Road East, Westport 203-266-3111; dandelionwestport.com

HOURS: Mon.–Thurs. 5 to 9 p.m., Fri. 5 to 10 p.m., Sat. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m., Sun. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.

The health and mental health benefits of the Mediterranean diet keep making headlines, so indulging at this new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant at the stylish Delamar Westport hotel is doctor’s orders.

From GHG Restaurant Collection (Artisan, La Plage, l’escale) and set amid designer Christian Siriano’s interiors, Dandelion marries flavor and atmosphere in a happy union. The evening bar scene is sexy, so skip the train ride to New York. Brunch includes a Kids Corner menu and an array of unique options that will have your taste buds battling it out between breakfast or lunch. A Greek yogurt parfait or spanakopita? A Mediterranean omelet or oysters? Fattoush salad or steak and eggs?

Doppio

62 Main Street, New Canaan 203-594-1360; eatdoppio.com

HOURS: Mon.–Sun. 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Doppio has been wining and dining in Greenwich since 2011, and now

New Canaan is joining in on the feast. The interior has a casual chic vibe, and white-tableclothed outdoor tables along the red-brick alley feel quaint and refreshing. The menu features Doppio favorites like tuna tartare and crispy artichokes to start, a range of pizza in the red (“Rosse”) and white (“Bianche”) categories and the bestselling rigatoni alla vodka with a spicy kick. Seasonal specials, like shaved artichoke salad, are determined based on the best available local ingredients. A thoughtful wine list, creative cocktails and cold beer give plenty of options for washing down a scrumptious meal.

Felice

38 Main Street, Westport 55 Abendroth Ave, Port Chester 474-363-4750; 914-786-5500; felicerestaurants.com

HOURS: Mon.–Thurs. 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fri. 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (brunch) and 4 to 11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (brunch) and 4 to 10:30 p.m.

The first Felice location in Connecticut fills the former Mexicue space in Westport. This Italian favorite debuted on the Upper East Side and is so popular that 13 locations have opened since, one just over the border in Port Chester. On the menu are dishes rooted in Tuscan tradition and prepared with seasonal ingredients, complemented by Italian imports that honor the restaurant’s culinary heritage. The copious options promise to satiate like Sunday dinner at your Italian gramma’s house. The wine list is curated with care, featuring selections from small-production organic and biodynamic labels. Or choose a crafted cocktail like a Bloody Maria, Mezcalita or Amalfi Spritz. »

Doppio's octopus with watermelon, fennel, feta and herbs

ABOVE: Joylark's Charred Carrot and Tofu Curry RIGHT: Lombardi's Fettuccine al Tartufo and Polpette Classiche (beef meatballs)

Joylark Plant Kitchen & Bar

260 Post Road, Fairfield 475-999-8491; joylarkkitchen.com

HOURS: Sun.–Thurs. 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

One of our Good Life spies makes a weekly visit to sample the plantbased recipes of Joylark’s talented chef: Oysters and Grits, Cauliflower Parm, Cornflake Potatoes,

POP

-

Mushroom Magic Avocado Toast and brunch faves like Marzipan Apple French Toast, Lemon Cream Pancakes, Smothered Breakfast Burrito and Blueberry Chai Oatmeal. There’s a kids’ menu for the Little Larks and a wide array of inventive cocktails, hard (and soft) smoothies, kombucha, beer, wine, juices and specialty teas and lattes. A beautiful and elevated setting sets Joylark apart from the more casual take-out or cafeteria-like vegetarian spots in the area.

Lombardi's Ristorante & Bar

32 Elm Street, New Canaan 203-594-1209; lombardinc.com

HOURS: Sun.–Wed. 5 to 9 p.m., Thurs.–Sat. 5 to 10 p.m.

From the owners of Dolci Cafe, Lombardi opened last summer on Elm Street, bringing a whiff of Ischia, Italy, to town. That’s where brothers Andrea and Daniel

Lombardi grew up, so they know a thing or two about Italian cuisine. The menu features classic, simple Italian dishes, plus specialties with a modern twist. Antipasti, insalate, fresh homemade pasta and seafood and meat entrees are served in a welcoming setting, for an authentic Italian experience. Refreshing cocktails (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), fine wines and beer will please all patrons. Several private rooms, one with its own bar, cater to parties of 14 to 48.

IN PICKS

Perfect spots for lunch runs, takeout nights and spur-of-the-moment cravings

7TH STREET BURGER

2000 West Main Street, Stamford 7thstreetburger.com

New York’s beloved 7th Street Burger hits Stamford’s ShopRite Plaza with “delicious ingredients, smashed to perfection.” The menu is streamlined to bring you only the best cheeseburgers, spicy jalapeño cheeseburgers, loaded beef fries and a spicy jalapeño version of them, too. Vegetarians aren’t left out, with Impossible cheeseburger options and fries with a kick or not. This news is so hot off the grill that an official opening date hasn’t been announced yet, but expect to be biting into a juicy burger some time in 2026.

CHERRY STREET PROVISIONS

149 Cherry Street, New Canaan 203-594-7447 cherrystreetcheese.com

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jo and Stephen Bloom are committed to bringing the best farmstead cheeses from around the world, handsliced meats and artisan gourmet products to your table. Whether you’re looking for a decadent charcuterie platter or the nostalgic flavor of a delectable grilled cheese sandwich paired with homemade tomato soup, this neighborhood cheesemonger aims to please. Serious

about your cheese? Join the shop’s Cheese Club and receive three artisan cheeses from around the globe, along with educational information about your cheeses and how they were made. You will also receive special pantry items, early access to events and 10 percent off all purchases.

PIE PATROL

FRANK PEPE PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA

The newest pizza destinations worth scouting for your next slice

361 Post Road West, Westport pepespizzeria.com

No one has pizza like New Haven. Except now we do. In addition to the locations in Stamford and Fairfield, Fairfield County is gaining another Pepe’s in Westport this summer. Expect charred, chewy, crispy, coal-fired “Apizza,” just like Frank Pepe invented in 1925, cooked in a coal-fired oven.

SOHO PIZZA

22 Riverside Avenue, Westport

If rumors are right, you just might be able to bite into a SoHo Pizza slice in Westport by the time this mag hits newsstands. Owner Pablo Bolanous is bringing NY-style pizza, pasta and paninis to an 1,100 square-foot space next to Sunny Daes ice cream—so you can fulfill all your cravings in one stop.

EMMY SQUARED PIZZA

48 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich emmysquaredpizza.com

What do you get when you take a New-York-style grandma pie and cross it with a Detroit-style slice, plus throw in fluffy focaccia-like dough and caramelized crispy cheese edges? You get Emmy Squared Pizza, which was born in Williamsburg in 2011 and is so good that it has spread to 26 locations with the newest coming to Grenwich. Emmy Squared kills it in the doublestack burger department, too. Le Big Matt has been named a top burger in NYC and Nashville.

GARDEN CATERING

320 Height Road, Darien 203-679-7111; gardencatering.com

HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sun. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Garden Catering, established in 1978, has a cult-like following. The newest location in Darien joins the Stamford and Old Greenwich outposts, bringing instant gratification to those looking to satisfy a comfort-food craving. The menu includes the famous hand-cut chicken nuggets made with antibioticfree, all-white-meat chicken breast, golden potato cones, fries, mac bites and corn fritters. Need gluten-free? No problem. And vegans can enjoy awesome cauliflower nugs.

NATURAL KITCHEN

5 River Road (Studio 9), Wilton 203-210-5115 naturalkitchenwilton.com

HOURS: Mon–Sat. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sun. 12 to 9 p.m.

Poké fans will be psyched for Natural Kitchen’s arrival in Wilton. Enjoy madeto-order meals: bold signature poké bowls (with Natural Kitchen’s own secret seasoning), sushi rolls, bubble tea, smoothies, milkshakes, six different non-alcoholic mojito drinks, plus ice cream and cake to top it all off. Stop in for a quick lunch, weeknight takeout or a snack on the run, and get a taste of Hawaii and Hawaiian hospitality right here in Fairfield County.

WONDER

1131 High Ridge Road (Suite 3A), Stamford wonder.com

HOURS: Sun.–Sat. 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Wonder has spread across the East Coast, and Stamford is the next lucky spot. It’s a wondrous concept—all of your favorite restaurant foods under one roof. No one can agree on where to order from? Wonder is the answer. Yasas, Alanza Pizza, SriPraPhai, Burger Baby, Bellies, Happy Tuna, Tejas Barbecue, The Mainstay, Streetbird, LimeSalt, Bobby Flay Steak, Pop Salad … the list goes on. Multiple restaurant cuisines, one location. »

SUGAR RUSH

Afew

CRUMBL

newcomers—andacoup

1131 High Ridge Road, Stamford 475-477-9499; crumblcookies.com

HOURS: Mon–Thurs. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Enjoy cookies, pies and cakes in a weekly rotating menu of over 300 flavors! In-store pickup, delivery and catering options.

FLOUR WATER SALT BREAD

1215 Post Road, Fairfield flourwatersaltbread.com

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or until sold out)

Flour Water Salt Bread has added a location in Fairfield (in addition to New Canaan, Darien and Greenwich). Sure, the sourdough is the staple, but there are plenty of sweets for your delight: croissants, pain au chocolate, cinnamon rolls, cardamom buns, coffee cake, cookies and more.

MAGNOLIA BAKERY

Stamford magnoliabakery.com

Magnolia Bakery hit the mainstream via Carrie and Miranda in Sex and the City back in 2000, so it has taken a mere 26 years for its scrumptious pastel cupcakes

LEFT: Miyki white chocolate raspberry cookie RIGHT: Rosie's blueberry and apple muffins

and famous banana pudding to find a home in Connecticut. Run by Stamford’s own Kelly Fitzpatrick, Magnolia is expected to open this summer or fall in an undisclosed but soon-to-be-swarming spot!

MILKSHAKE FACTORY

1109 High Ridge Center (Unit #10), Stamford 203-514-0889; milkshakefactory.com

HOURS: Mon.–Sun. 12 to 10 p.m.

BELOW: Magnolia Bakery cupcakes

Handspun milkshakes are made with homemade ice cream in flavors like Campfire S’mores, Chocolate Cake Shake, Cookie Jar, Raspberries & Cream, Salted Caramel Pretzel and Mint Chip—yum! Dairy-free varieties are available. Pair your shake with some gourmet chocolate for double the indulgence.

MIYUKI ( PINE STREET CONCESSIONS )

75 Pine Street, New Canaan 203-920-1552; miyukisnoodleshop.com

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Miyuki’s ’s Noodle Shop got a shout-out for their “incredible cookies.” Tables are available on a walk-in basis to enjoy Miyuki’s rice and noodle bowls as a starter to your cookie course.

MOMU

575 Riverside Avenue, Westport momuicecream.com

HOURS: Wed.–Thurs. 2 to 9 p.m., Fri. 2 to 10 p.m., Sat. 1 to 10 p.m., Sun. 1 to 9 p.m.

The Muñoz and Moreno team behind Laurel opened MOMU this past spring in Westport. The ice cream is churned daily with local ingredients. The owners’ favorite flavors are Mud, Quince, French Toast and Butter Pecan. Want to share the love? Enlist MOMU’s ice cream cart for your next party or event.

ROSIE

27 Elm Street, New Canaan 203-966-8998; rosienewcanaan.com

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rosie’s got an editor shout-out specifically for their giant muffins. If you don’t have a sweet tooth and are along for the ride, Rosie’s menu will seduce you, one way or another. Perhaps you’ll choose to sip a Señorita I Feel for You libation of fresh muddled mint, cucumber, lime, agave and Rosie’s famous mix.

POUR DECISIONS

New spots and clever sips that are stirring up the local drink scene

ELM

73 Elm Street, New Canaan 203-920-4994; elmrestaurant.com

HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 11:30 a.m. to close, Sat.–Sun. 11 a.m. to close (Afternoon Tea: Fri.–Sat. 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.)

One of our editors suggested afternoon tea at Elm, which of course is much more than just a sipping situation. Enjoy scones with preserves and clotted cream, cucumber tartines, mini lobster rolls and decadent desserts whose names will make you salivate: Citrus Almondine, Coffee-Soaked Opera Cake, Raspberry Cheesecake …

SUNNY

sipasunny.com

This new brand out of New Canaan brings you seltzer with no sugar, no calories and an “added ray of sunshine”—a microdose of THC to be exact. You won’t taste the cannabis, and you won’t feel a hangover either, but you will feel a refreshing calm. Sunny drinkers describe a “light buzz” with a rapid onset in around 15 minutes that slowly builds then tapers off after 90 minutes or so.

QAHWAH HOUSE

65 Broad Street, Stamford qahwahhouse.com

Eight generations of Yemeni coffee farming are behind Qahwah House. The coffeehouse's first Connecticut location is coming to Stamford this summer. The Sana’ani is a medium roast with cardamom and the Jubana delights with spiced cardamom, ginger and cinnamon. Other options abound: Iced Pistachio Latte? Yes, please! Traditionalists will find plenty of Americano, espresso, cappuccino and mocha options. The café will also sell coffee beans and exotic Arabic dellah pots to bring Yemeni flavor home.

THE THIRSTY COW

203-952-8626

Instagram: @thethirstycow203

How about a mobile dirty soda bar for your next party? “I create custom dirty sodas using layered flavors, syrups, creams and fun twists that turn a simple drink into a true taste adventure,” says founder Nadia Cossuto. How about a Cheesecake Swirl, with Dr. Pepper, cheesecake, strawberry and vanilla foam? Feeling sleepy? The Buzzed Heifer combines Redbull, strawberries and white chocolate foam. To get in beach mode, The Islander is a mix of Sprite, coconut, pineapple and Half & Half. The mobile bar is familyfriendly, interactive and sure to be a gathering spot and conversation starter wherever it pops up. »

THE KID ZONE

Get up close and personal with some furry and feathered friends

Family time doesn’t have to mean another movie night on the couch. There are plenty of ways to get everyone out of the house—whether that means meeting animals up close, racing go-karts, sailing the Sound or gazing at the stars in a planetarium.

Earthplace LIVE ANIMAL STORYTIME

10 Woodside Lane, Westport 203-557-4400

earthplace.org

Every morning, Monday through Saturday, at 10:30 a.m., Earthplace in Westport shares an animal-themed story with a special guest: one of its many Animal Hall cute critters. For children age five and under.

Farm Sanctuary

Southport 914-216-8057

goldilocksfarmsanctuary.com

This adorable farm in Southport, complete with a chandelier in the barn, will wow even the most entitled wee-one with bunny or pony parties and animal cuddles galore. Goldilocks can bring the party to you. (Dads are sure to be all over the Beer Burro option, a miniature donkey to deliver their drinks.) Oh, and the place isn't just cute, it has heart, too—the sanctuary rescues animals. Want to help or teach your kids how they can? Visit the site to sponsor an animal.

Island Mike Sailboat Charters

50 Water Street, Norwalk 203-856-4409 island-mike.com

There’s no better way to seize a summer day than with the wind in your hair on Island Mike’s 52-foot custom-built sailboat, Eagle. The kids will be off their screens and in awe of nature. Set sail from Norwalk for a daytime, sunset or all-day cruise, with prices starting at $600 for four people for four hours ($800 for six people).

RPM

Stamford —

Kart Klash

600 West Avenue, Stamford 203-323-7223 rpmraceway.com

This new immersive go-kart racing experience brings video-game action onto the actual track! Drivers use not just speed but strategy to outsmart their opponents with missiles, shields, EMP’s and turbos. Don’t know what that means? The kids will, and they’ll think you’re the coolest parent ever for giving them this opportunity. Must be eight years old and a minimum of 48 inches tall. (Kids and adults race in separate categories.)

Stamford Diner GUEST CHARACTERS ON TUESDAY NIGHTS

135 Harvard Avenue, Stamford 203-348-7000

stamforddiner.com

Stamford Diner knows how to turn family dinner into the event of the week. Every Tuesday night from 6 to 7 p.m., a guest character is on hand to entertain the kiddos: Peppa Pig, Bluey, Elmo, Pikachu … “It’s super fun!” says our family-fun sleuth, but she warns, “You must make a reservation. The place is packed!”

Stamford Museum and

Nature Center PLANETARIUM

39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford 203-977-6521

stamfordmuseum.org

The Stamford Museum and Nature Center has opened its breathtaking Planetarium and Astronomy Center, with shows for all ages. A cinematic Sesame Street adventure called “One World, One Sky” will appeal to the youngest star gazers with a 45-minute show multiple times per week. The Friday-evening showing of “Stamford Skies” at 7 p.m. includes access to the observatory after the show. There are also 2 p.m. shows Wednesday through Sunday. For the older teens and Gen X’ers, there’s “Dark Side of the Moon” on Fridays at 9 p.m. (with Observatory access before the show at 8 p.m.).

Experience the Pink Floyd album like never before with a choreographed laser show.

Totsy Turvy

101 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton 203-763-1763

totsyturvycafeandplay.fun

Playspace for the kids, café for the parents? Win, win. Young ones up to age seven enjoy open-ended play while caregivers can look on and connect over a cup of coffee, cappuccino, latte, mocha, chai tea, matcha or green tea—iced or hot, but always chill. Paninis, baked goods and smoothies round out the menu. And look, the kids are still having a ball! The Totsy Turvy Snackcuterie features a bunch of healthy options when tots need to refuel.

The Ballet Studio 229 students who will be dancing at “Carnival of the Animals” with the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance and Ridgefield Symphony at the Ridgefield Playhouse on June 6 and 7. The Sunday 11 a.m. show is a sensory-friendly performance, which has been a long standing goal of Christina Fagundes

CURTAIN CALL

Private coaches helping young dancers, actors and musicians find their rhythm

BALLET STUDIO 229

PRIVATE BALLET INSTRUCTION

229 Valley Road, New Canaan studio229@optonline.net balletstudio229.com

Mikhail Baryshnikov himself invited Christina Fagundes into the American Ballet Theatre company during her illustrious career as a prima ballerina. Now she shares her skills with students in her private ballet studio in New Canaan. Christina’s approach is precise but gentle. Her passion for her art is infectious, and her laser focus is, too.

JAMIE MANN

PRIVATE ACTING, DANCE AND VOCAL COACHING jamiemartinmann@gmail.com jamiemartinmann.com

Fresh off his Broadway debut in Stranger Things: The First Shadow (and his Westport mag cover), Jamie Mann is available to train your budding Broadway hopefuls, in person in the Westport area (or New York City) or on Zoom. (Wait, didn’t his mom write this article? Yes, but she swears he’s the real deal.)

JIM JACOBY PIANO & MUSIC

PRIVATE PIANO LESSONS

203-526-5261 jimjacoby.com

Jim Jacoby has more than 20 years of experience teaching piano to students of all ages and instilling the love of music. He teaches both in person and on Zoom and makes lessons a joyful experience. He will travel to your home, from Fairfield to Darien.

scan QR code or Purchase tickets online at GLTrust.org

Friday, May 29 6-9pm

Mueller preserve | 370 Round Hill Rd Co-Chairs

Angela Ho, Lisa Hurst, Molly Schiff, Kathryn Shaw

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postscript

ROLE REVERSAL

Our cover shoot at The Glass House took an unexpected turn when architect Fred Noyes— son of The Harvard Five’s Eliot Noyes and one of the story’s subjects—turned the lens on the magazine team. Pictured are Art Director Venera Alexandrova, athome Editor Megan Gagnon, Glass House Director of Communications Christa Carr, photographer Kyle Norton and NCD Editor Eileen Murphy.

Have a photo that captures a moment in New Canaan, Darien or Rowayton? Send it to Eileen.Murphy@Moffly.com for a chance to win $100. Please write “Photo Submission” in the subject line.

LEVITT

PAVILION 2026 SEASON BLAST OFF ON SALE NOW

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JUN 11 GREENSKY BLUEGRASS

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JUN 23 ROLLING TOGETHER REVUE TOUR:

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JUN 28: JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS

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